Experiences from five years of using the biotope method, a tool for quantitative biodiversity impact assessment

Abstract

The biotope method was developed to provide biodiversity impact quantification in life-cycle inventory and assessment studies of energy generation. It is based on measurements of land-use induced biotope alterations, which are considered representative of the impact on biodiversity and facilitate measurements of, and comparisons among, different projects. It includes tools necessary for classifying and characterising the areas affected, and results in transparent, quantitative data. During the past five years, the method has been applied on various energy production systems. The results of these applications are analysed and compared, and suggestions for further methodology development are discussed.

Keywords:

• biodiversity
• electricity
• energy
• life-cycle assessment
• environmental product declaration