Integrated management of natural environment
The airport includes some 200 hectares of green spaces and grasslands. Studies conducted on the fauna and flora show that airport operations have an impact on the condition of these environments. Thus, Genève Aéroport implements appropriate protection measures.
A countryside planning and management manual is being drawing up. The aim of this practical tool is to maintain and encourage biodiversity, thereby enhancing the value of the countryside on the airport site and in its vicinity. The manual seeks to ensure over the long term that the countryside is taken into account when new site infrastructures are designed and is intended to safeguard valued green spaces or quality relaxation areas for both airline passengers and site employees.
Fauna surveillance
The knowledge of the fauna at the airport has been extended through a regular follow-up. Data on the birds, mammals (hares, foxes, shrews), batrachians and insects are recorded.
For reasons of flight safety, the occurrence of fauna at the airport is constantly monitored by officers of the Wildlife Hazard Prevention unit linked to Genève Aéroport Operation division. More than 90 bird species are yearly observed on a continual basis, either paying occasional visits or passing through more rarely. If needed, officers frighten away animals which endanger aircraft safety.
Great biodiversity and rare species of flora
Botanical surveys enable the trend of flora to be monitored closely. More than 210 species are recorded according to the environments (dry or humid) in which they develop. Some of them are rare or even endangered.
Biodiversity is promoted as no fertiliser is used in the grasslands. However, the aim is not to make the airport a special protection zone.
Orchis Militaris (vulnerable species)
Green space management
Mowing of green spaces is specified in a concept which includes operational and flight safety imperatives (fire response, bird strike prevention) as well as environmental aspects (biodiversity preservation, reuse of mowing products).
Mowing can be regular (according to a maximal grass height), biannual (spring and autumn) or annual (after mid-September) depending on each specific green space.