According to an expert report released on Friday (26 February) by the State of Rio de Janeiro’s Department of Justice, the construction of the Olympic Golf Course in Barra da Tijuca has contributed to the growth of local vegetation in the Marapendi area. Unveiled in November, the golf venue, assesses an expert study, ensured the return of different species of animals to a once degraded area.

The inspection was carried out in December last year at the request of a civil lawsuit filed by state prosecutors who questioned the environmental impacts of the project, and involved prosecutors, legal advisors and environmental specialists.The Rio 2016 Organising Committee has monitored the changes in the region since the beginning of the works in 2013.

“The environmental gain in the region is visible. Besides the flora, which increased extensively, we can observe the different species of animals that have returned to the area. The report now provides a scientific stamp to what we had already observed”

Carina Flores, Rio 2016 sustainability coordinator

Among the environmental benefits in the report are the 167% increase in vegetation, which led to a “positive cycle for fauna deveolopment”. The report also indicates that 263 species are found in the area now – before the construction there were only 118 species.

A few of the animal species now found in the surroundings of the Olympic Golf Course area, in Rio (Photos: Rio 2016)

Previously, approximately 80% of the total area was degraded due to sand extraction activities and deposit of cement. “The disfigurement of the natural environment that happened in the 80s and 90s led to an extensive area with no vegetation,” reads the report.

The study also points out that the green protected areas at the margins of Lagoa de Marapendi were not affected by the construction of the golf course.

Wildlife alongside the Marapendi Lagoon was not affected, according to the Department of Justice report (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)

The Olympic Golf Course will host its first competition on 8 March, the Aquece Rio Golf Challenge, allowing Games organisers to test operations and train volunteers. Designed by American Gil Hanse, the 970,000m² course in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood of Rio will have capacity for 15,000 fans during the Olympic tournament from 11-20 August.

Go golf crazy with our interactive infographic

Jordan Spieth says it would be ‘incredible’ to compete at Rio 2016