Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation at Severstal PJSC

Environmental Responsibility as Part of the Development Strategy

Biodiversity conservation and minimizing environmental impact are becoming an integral part of the sustainable development strategy for large industrial enterprises. During the webinar, Varvara Stepanova, Environmental Manager at Severstal PJSC, shares the company's unique experience in integrating environmental initiatives into production processes, using the Cherepovets Steel Mill (CherMK) as an example.

Interactive Map and Biogeocenosis Monitoring

The speaker begins by demonstrating an interactive map of highly sensitive areas available on the company's website. This tool clearly shows that Severstal's production facilities do not encroach on the boundaries of ecologically significant zones. However, the company does not stop at stating this fact; it actively monitors the state of biogeocenoses to assess its impact on them.

Cooperation with the Darwin Nature Reserve: Avifauna Study

One of the key projects Varvara discusses is the cooperation with the Darwin State Natural Biosphere Reserve. As part of this partnership, launched in 2019, large-scale studies of indicator bird species are being conducted, particularly rare predators like the white-tailed eagle and the osprey.

• Selection of indicator species: Birds of prey are highly sensitive to environmental changes, making them ideal indicators of ecosystem health.
• Studies on ash and slag disposal areas: The uniqueness of the project lies in the study of anthropogenic water bodies. At the CherMK ash and slag disposal areas, 120 bird species have been discovered, including endangered species listed in the Red Data Book.
• Discovery of a northern colony of great egrets: Scientists recorded great egrets nesting on the mill's territory, marking the northernmost point of their habitat range.

Practical Measures for Population Conservation

The presentation details practical steps to support rare bird populations. Using the creation of artificial nests as an example, the speaker shows how the natural destruction of habitats can be compensated. The installation of modular nests in the reserve's swamps has already yielded results: birds are successfully occupying them.

Water Resources Monitoring and the Green Shield Project

In addition to ornithological studies, Severstal assesses the impact of wastewater on the Koshta River in collaboration with the Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters. The results show that species diversity at the discharge points corresponds to background levels.

Another important initiative is the Severstal Green Shield project. During dendrological surveys, over 130 hectares of territory were examined, and 112 species of trees and shrubs were identified, including endangered ones. A long-term landscaping plan for the industrial site has been developed using species resistant to anthropogenic impact.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to organize effective biodiversity monitoring on the territory of a large industrial enterprise?
• What methods are used to study and conserve populations of rare bird species under anthropogenic impact?
• How to assess the impact of industrial wastewater on aquatic ecosystems?
• What are the practical benefits of creating artificial nests and using GPS trackers for birds?
• How to implement a large-scale landscaping project for an industrial site taking into account scientific recommendations?