Motorways and highways often divide animal populations and throw ecosystems out of balance.

What’s all this about ecoducts?

Habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. And that’s exactly what many of our roads do: they divide populations of animal species and throw ecosystems out of balance. Ecoducts are one solution to this problem.

Ecoducts or ‘green bridges’ are structures that are designed to re-establish habitat continuity between two sides of a motorway, highway or railway track.

These can be overpasses to allow wildlife (especially mammals such as bears, deer, badgers, etc.) to cross from one side to the other without being run over. But there are also underpasses for smaller animals such as amphibians and reptiles, or even invertebrates.

However, ecoducts not only facilitate the passage of animals but can also become home to many species, providing them with shelter and sometimes even becoming a feeding ground for wildlife.

In the context of current global warming, it is essential that animals are able to move across human influenced landscapes.

Why are ecoducts important?

In the context of current global warming, it is essential that animals are able to move across human influenced landscapes; species can then adapt their distribution according to new humidity and temperature conditions. That’s why conserving or re-establishing ecological connectivity is essential for the vitality of our shared landscapes, and for the continued survival of wildlife species.

The ecoducts:

• Enable connection between animal populations.
• Reduce the amount of roadkill.
• Reduce the number of accidents and casualties on the road, both for wildlife and people.
• Enhance biodiversity.

Ecoduct overpasses are usually more than 25 metres wide and are covered with earth. This encourages the growth of plant species to guide the animals and, at the same time, reduces the visual impact of the construction.

Where can I find ecoducts in action?

They are common in European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany, and are also used in the Doñana National Park in Spain to protect the Iberian lynx.

Statistics reveal that these ‘green bridges’ are indeed heavily used by animals.

One of the best known and most studied ecoducts is found along the Trans-Canada Highway, one of the longest road infrastructures in the world, which runs through Banff National Park, Alberta. The park, Canada’s oldest, has 41 wildlife crossing points: six overpasses and 35 underpasses, the latter often used by smaller animals.

Moral

It’s better to build bridges than barriers.