Wildlife & Traffic
10 Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure
Contents
Maintenance of amphibian/small fauna fences
INSPECTION TASKS
To check
- Components of the guiding fences are not broken.
- Components are well-fixed to the ground.
- There is good continuity between the ends of the fence and entrances to amphibian passages.
SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE TASKS
To do
- Maintain a corridor free of bushes, high grasses, rocks or sand along the fence.
- Replace inappropriate wire mesh with an opaque fence to ensure effectiveness and avoid trapping amphibians. Cover gullies and eliminate any other trap where small animals can fall.
- Repair any discontinuities between the fence and the entrances to the passage.
- Fences made of synthetic polymers, wood or similar materials require more frequent inspections than metal fences or concrete walls.
SCHEDULE
- Minimum: once a year, just before seasonal migrations or periods when target species movements are increased.
- More frequent inspection may be required in sections that are repeatedly damaged.
- Additional inspections should be planned following floods, strong winds, snow or other adverse weather events.
Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure