For a long time, conflicts between power lines and nesting birds on them, as well as birds colliding with power lines, have caused many ecological problems. This has also attracted the attention of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). In order to promote biodiversity conservation in the power sector, CBCGDF has collaborated with power companies through on-site research, capacity building, program design, best practice advocacy, and wildlife rescue to reduce conflicts between humans and birds and promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the energy sector.
On May 12, 2023, Zhou Jinfeng, Secretary-General of CBCGDF, provided guidance to CBCGDF reserach office on "how to conduct on-site research".
Zhou Jinfeng stated that for this on-site research, it is necessary to clarify the research purpose and tasks, understand the prominent issues of wild birds and local natural environment involved in power grid safety production, and the challenges and threats they face.
Make a good plan around the research focus. For power transmission and distribution lines, it is necessary to record in detail the species of birds involved in line faults, the fault time, the fault cause, the consequences and potential risks; for bird protection, it is necessary to observe and record the bird nesting situation, injury situation, bird species, injury reasons and rescue situation, take on-site photos, and obtain first-hand information. After the research is completed, timely organize the research information and form research reports and research results shall be followed.
Through on-site research, we must thoroughly understand the risks and challenges that nature and birds bring to power grid safety production, and effectively reduce bird-related faults in transmission and distribution lines, while ensuring the safety of bird survival and creating a win-win situation.
Zhou Jinfeng emphasized that during the research period, researchers should not only focus on the transmission and distribution lines themselves but also conduct field surveys of the habitat within a 2-3 km radius of the lines to understand whether a protected area or nature reserve has been established in the area around the lines, in order to seek alternative solutions to bird nesting on line towers. On-site research work starts from the perspective of ecological civilization and BCON (Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhoods), focusing on the goal of protecting both the lines and birds, ensuring the safety of power transmission and production, and also ensuring the safety of the natural environment for bird survival.
Using the "Community Conservation Area (CCAfa)" located in Caofeidian, Tangshan, Hebei as an example, Zhou Jinfeng described the comprehensive biodiversity conservation efforts carried out in this community-based protected area. In this CCAfa, conflicts between humans and wild animals caused by the reduction of breeding grounds for birds such as plovers and sandpipers were effectively solved by building "artificial islands", achieving coexistence with wild birds during the production process.
Through analyzing typical cases, Zhou Jinfeng hopes that CBCGDF personnel who participate in field research can actively seek to construct natural habitats for bird survival and scientifically guide birds to actively leave power transmission lines. Zhou also mentioned that during on-site discussions and exchanges, the research team of CBCGDF should focus on key field research topics and fully discuss local issues discovered during research.
In conclusion, Zhou Jinfeng emphasized that field research is of great significance. Only with sufficient preparation can the purpose of field research be achieved, thereby proposing more reasonable and specialized solutions to help achieve harmonious win-win outcomes between power lines and birds.
Reporter: Lu Feng
Translator: Littlejane
Editor:Daisy
Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776
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