At the time of the plant installation, the biome where the enterprise is located (Atlantic Forest) found itself severely impacted by the expansion of agriculture and logging. Loss of habitat has subjected the remaining populations of native species of fauna and flora to isolation and, consequently, the risk of extinction. At the time there was no applicable standards, so Itaipu does not have areas designated as ‘compensation habitats’ in the flooded area.
A study found that in the area around the reservoir, in Brazil, only 23% were forests, 24.7% were areas with forests exploited in natural regeneration phase and 50.3% were for agriculture. To restructure the biological heritage, the company invested in the implementation of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP), which consist of the Reservoir Protection Range, and created two Biological Sanctuaries in Brazil (Bela Vista and Santa Helena, with 1,920 and 1,482 hectares each, respectively).
By reforestation and partnerships, Itaipu enabled the connection between Iguaçu National Park and the Ilha Grande National Park by establishing the Santa Maria Ecological Corridor, connecting the two Parks to Fazenda Santa Maria and the Protection Range, intending to maintain the gene flow of local species. Since 2009, Itaipu, together with 13 public institutions and non-governmental organizations, participates in the project “Participatory Governance Actions in the Biodiversity Corridor of Paraná River – Atlantic Forest Biome”, so that this region is recognized as a potential biodiversity corridor.
Considering as baseline surveys on flora and fauna carried out before the project installation, there was no extinction of species resulting from the construction or operation of the plant. Instead many native species found conditions for establishment and reproduction in the areas that are now protected and reforested.
Since then, there was no further intervention (works or procedures) with the potential to affect biodiversity in protected areas or not, maintaining the operational routine already established by the dam. The only operative measure that has the potential to cause damage to biodiversity would be the procedures to stop generating power machinery for maintenance purposes. To prevent fish kills, there are protocols that aim to rescue and release retained fish. In 2015, 30 rescue operations were conducted, saving 2,888 fish of 43 species.
One of the approaches used for managing actions aimed at conservation of biodiversity is the analysis of medium and long-term monitoring results. An example is the monitoring of fish eggs and larvae: in 2015, it was possible to identify in the reservoir the areas of spawning of 37 species. This mapping makes it possible to identify patterns that guide the multiple uses of the environment, minimizing the impact on the reproduction of these species.
Depending on the size, extent and its relevance to the conservation of regional biodiversity, Itaipu has a brigade to prevent and fight forest fires in protected areas of the organization, on the Brazilian side, coordinated by its own technical staff, which is skilled and authorized for this purpose. It also has support from a network of partner institutions, the surrounding community and employees of companies providing services in Biological Sanctuaries. In 2015, there were seven fire outbreaks, which reached 0.127 km² in four municipalities bordering the reservoir.
The effectiveness of the environmental management system, the impact assessment and the voluntary agenda of biodiversity conservation in Itaipu have been recognized by the Life Institute in 2015. Among the main actions evaluated are the conservation of 105 thousand hectares of forest; Cultivating Good Water Program; the creation of the Spawning Channel; the implementation of Santa Maria Biodiversity Corridor; and breeding projects of typical animal species of the Atlantic Forest and that are threatened, such as the harpy.
For cases of reservoir level fluctuation, Itaipu has a contingency plan that provides for the monitoring of all its length and banks, and the Spawning Channel, in order to avoid possible effects of the reduction of water levels, such as trapping fish in small ponds and commitment of multiple uses of the lake (fishing, leisure, navigation, etc.).
Climate fluctuations that reduce rainfall in the Paraná River basin last year led to the retraction of the reservoir’s banks and formation of 26 isolated lakes with trapped fish. Interventions were performed in 12 of them, as opening channels for fish access to the reservoir in order to prevent the death of animals by physicochemical factors, natural predation and overfishing.
The company has the support of a network of contacts distributed to the fullest extent, enabled and empowered and with the support and partnership of environmental agencies and public security to curb any depredatory actions against the environment.
In the reporting period, 20 cleaning campaigns were carried out in partnership with the Development Council of the surrounding cities to Lake Itaipu, fishing colonies or associations and ten municipalities, which have provided trucks and made the allocation and proper disposal of the collected material. 58,400 kilograms of garbage were removed from the reservoir area and the protection range, as well as 487 bottles and/or containers of pesticides, referred to the Association of the West Coast Agrochemical Companies, based in Santa Terezinha de Itaipu.
Protection Range (in Brazil): serves as support for native fauna and flora, reduces erosion, siltation and pollution of water resources, with total area of 34,000 hectares of reforested area on the reservoir banks.
Santa Maria Ecological Corridor: interconnects the riparian forest of the Itaipu reservoir to the Iguaçu National Park. It is 13 kilometers long.
Spawning Channel: promotes connectivity among populations of migratory fish, connecting the Paraná River (downstream the plant) to the reservoir. It is 10.3 kilometers long and the world’s largest and more complex fish corridor. Species like pacu, dourado and curimba receive electronic marking and are monitored and 61 species were recorded at the site in 2014-2015.
Biological Refuges: eight reserves and sanctuaries in Brazil and Paraguay, where studies and research are carried out on the flora and fauna, in addition to education for the population.
Breeding of Wild Animals of Itaipu Binacional (Casib): performs reproduction research in captivity of rare or endangered regional species in the country.
Roberto Ribas Lange Zoo: is home to animals of the regional fauna coming from Casib, other zoos or that are brought by environmental agencies.
Veterinary Hospital: provides outpatient and clinical care, surgeries and necropsies in wild animals (free or captive) and promotes scientific research.
Germplasm Bank: stores genetic material of species of native animals and plants, in nitrogen and seed.
Forest Nursery: produces seedlings of native species that are intended for restoration of riparian forests in the region, protection range and refuges.
Medicinal Garden/Herbal Medicine: conducts educational activities, cultivation, processing and distribution of medical plants, aromatic and culinary plants for the Medicinal Plants and Sustainable Rural Development programs.
Reproduction studies in captivity of regional fish species: the results benefit indigenous, agrarian reform settlers, riparian communities, fisherfolk colonies and associations, which receive the fry for fattening in cages, through the Itaipu Fish Production in Our Waters Program.
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The plant is located within a Permanent Preservation Area, being 1,006.62 km2 in dry area (327.96 km2 in Brazil; 665.10 km2 in Paraguay and 13.53 km2 in both countries) and 1,350 km2 of flooded area (770 km2 in Brazil and 580 m2 in Paraguay). The area, which includes the Spawning Channel does not fall under the Ramsar Convention and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), but is a priority area for biodiversity conservation of "very high” biological importance, according to national efforts.
Protected areas adjacent to Itaipu include the Iguaçu National Park, the Ilha Grande National Park, the Cabeça de Cachorro National Park, the Santa Maria Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) and other RPPNs that extend from the territory of the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, totaling 2,644.57 km² of dry area and 323.15 km2 of flooded area.
