Technical quality of flora baseline surveys in environmental impact assessment

A counterproof study of a mining project in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID21153567
AuthorsLivia Echternacht (0000-0003-1534-7181, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, corresponding author), Felipe Torres Costa Silva (0009-0008-1581-8768, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Yasmin Alvim Cardoso (0009-0005-9045-7729, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Amanda Alves Santos (0009-0008-5414-6693, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Amanda Alves dos Santos (0009-0005-1719-2082, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Emília Luíza Alcântara Araújo (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Cynthia Veiga Oliveira (0009-0009-5510-5540, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Natália Cardoso de Resende (0009-0000-3375-8190, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Nayara Vieira Trevisani (0009-0002-4955-8040, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Mariana Brito dos Anjos (0009-0006-2631-3998, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto), Alberto Fonseca (0000-0002-6661-5185, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto)
Year2026
Pages1-16
Publication date2026-05-12
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueImpact Assessment and Project Appraisal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-5517 • E-ISSN: 1471-5465
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14615517.2026.2658378
OpenAlexW7160936735
LanguageEN
References cited55

Biodiversity surveys are essential in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), providing baseline information for impact prediction and decision-making. Brazilian legislation requires the identification of scientific, economic, rare, or endangered value, but does not specify methodologies. We evaluated the floristic survey conducted for the EIA of an iron ore mining project in the Serra de Ouro Preto, at the entrance of Ouro Preto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We conducted a pioneering counter-assessment based on a one-day field survey in Campos Rupestres vegetation, depositing vouchers in herbarium, and identifying specimens with taxonomic rigor; additional records were retrieved from virtual herbaria. We documented 93 species, 79 recorded in the field and 14 from herbaria. Of the field-recorded species, 56 (71%) were absent from the EIA report, including four endangered species and one microendemic species (new status at species rank). We also identified 23 medicinal species and seven ruderal species. Herbarium records revealed another microendemic species restricted to the affected area and absent from the EIA report. These findings indicate incomplete legal compliance and inadequate biodiversity characterization, highlighting the need for clearer regulations and stronger technical guidance. Despite the limitations of the case study approach, findings have clear implications to EIA theory and practice

Environmental impact assessment · Environmental impact statement · Impact assessment · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Geography and Environmental Studies · Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis

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