Wildlife & Traffic
10 Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure
Contents
Maintenance of ecoducts, wildlife and multiuse overpasses
INSPECTION TASKS
To check
- Materials and drainage of the surface are appropriate.
- No human misuse of the structure is found.
- In multiuse overpasses, provisions to make human and wildlife uses compatible (guiding fences, informative panels, etc.) are appropriately maintained.
- Fences are continuous and anchored to wildlife crossing entrances or to lateral screens.
- Any components of the screen remain stable and have not been damaged or stolen, and that there is good continuity with fences.
- Vegetation height, composition and patch design is consistent with the standards.
- No Invasive Alien Species are found.
- No debris or other objects pose obstacles or prevent the appropriate use of the wildlife crossing.
- Any refuges for fauna such as stumps or stone rows are in good condition and in accordance with standards provided.
SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE TASKS
To do
- Structural features and uses
- Maintain or restore entrance areas to ensure these are free of obstacles to fauna movements and appropriately connected with the surrounding habitats.
- Replace any elements damaged by vandalism.
- In wildlife overpasses where no human use is planned, maintain appropriate state of the structures located at the entrances to avoid access of people and vehicles (large rocks, tree trunks or any other barrier).
- Periodically clean, fix, repair or replace any informative panels and no entry signs.
- Fences and screens > see Sheet 1
- Replace broken or deformed meshes and repair any damage on screens.
- Reinforce the anchorage of the mesh to the ground and poles when needed. If a reinforced mesh is already present, ensure it is well attached to the lower part of the fence.
- Vegetation and fauna refuges > see Sheet 12
- Undertake mowing, pruning and other vegetation management according to standards provided.
- Prune bushes and trees beside fences and screens to avoid damage.
- Remove debris created by vegetation management (mowing, pruning, etc.) to avoid a fertilizing effect and excessive future plant growth.
- Remove any Invasive Alien Species found.
- Consider grazing to control vegetation growth in large wildlife overpasses.
- Maintain in appropriate condition any structure built to provide refuge for fauna (e.g. rows of stone or tree stumps).
SCHEDULE
- Minimum: once a year, just before seasonal migrations or periods when target species movements are increased.
- Mowing and pruning vegetation should be scheduled according to local conditions.
- Additional inspections should be planned following floods, strong winds, snow or other adverse weather events.
Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure