English Nature (now Natural England) |
Great crested newt mitigation
guidelines |
2001 |
UK |
The fencing membrane should
be as taut as possible without noticeable creases or folds
which
could allow newts to climb the fence.
|
The fencing membrane should be of a type that will
not break down or become brittle under exposure to the elements, notably
UV light. ‘1000 gauge’ transparent polythene sheeting
works
well in many situations, as do woven polypropylene
and black polythene DPC. Ensure that the sheet width is sufficient to
permit the forming of the ‘under-lap’ and ‘top-curl’ (1m is sufficient
for most fences).
|
20 cm (8 inches) |
10 cm (4 inches) folded
horizontally. |
20 cm (8 inches) of material folded over twice to
create a ’top curl’. |
USFWS |
Desert Tortoise Fencing Specifications |
2005 |
USA |
Fencing
needs to be suitable for environmental conditions, for example desert
fencing needs to stand up against strong winds, erosion, alkaline and
acidic soils. Fences can be either buried or not depending on the target
species. |
Fencing should be made using durable materials (i.e., 16
gauge or heavier). 1 inch horizontal by 2 inch vertical, galvanized
welded wire, 36 inches in width. |
30 cm (12 inches) |
If the fencing
cannot be burried an anti-dig barrier can be placed above ground
horizontally 36 cm (14 inches) |
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Amphibian and Reptile Conservation |
Common Toads and Roads: Guidance
for planner and highways engineers (England) |
2009 |
UK |
The bottom
of the fence should be kept clear of vegetation to allow toads to move
along the fencing boundary. |
Panels should be smooth to prevent toads
climbing. |
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- |
The top edge of the fence should be bent over to
prevent climbing. |
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads |
Fauna Sensitive Road
Design Manual Volume 2: Preferred Practices (2010) |
2010 |
Australia |
Fencing should be designed in close consultation with amphibian experts
as different species have different requirements. |
Woven vinyl erosion
control fencing with pre-attached wooden stakes. Preferably installed at
the edge of the mowed road. Fencing for Frogs specifically fencing
should consist of 5 mm insertion rubber clamped to a galvanised backing
plate then attached to a chain wire fence. The current design is 40 cm
(16 inches) high with plastic posts. |
6cm - 10cm (2inches - 4inches) |
- |
A 15 cm (6 inches) wide sloped lip is recommended to discourage
amphibian access. |
Vic Roads |
Fauna sensitive road design guidelines |
2012 |
Australia |
Fencing should be used to guide fauna towards crossing structures and
should be used along both ends of fauna structures in order to prevent
animal-vehicle collisions. Vegetation management is keys to ensuring
that fences remain effective. |
Materials can consist of recycled
polyethylene sheeting with galvanised star pickets or plastic Square
Hallow Posts (SHS posts), galvanised roof purlin and galvanised SHS
posts or fine wire mesh of less than 4 mm (0.15 inch) in diameter. |
10cm (4inches) minimum |
- |
A pre-fabricated lip along the top of the
fence is recommended. |
Western Transport Institute, Montana State University |
Construction
guidelines for wildlife fencing and associated escape and lateral access
control measures |
2015 |
USA |
|
Smooth plastic sheets (HDPE) or
barrier wall (plastic, composite or concrete) is ideal but chain-link or
mesh wire fencing with aluminium flashing can also be used. |
- |
- |
- |
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Spain) |
Technical
prescriptions for wildlife crossing and fence design (second edition,
revised and expanded) |
2016 |
Spain |
Fences for small vertebrates are
usually installed as a reinforcement for the base of structures intended
for large mammals. They must be placed outside and anchored to the
conventional mesh. |
The standard 2 cm x 2 cm (0.8 inches x 0.8 inches)
mesh size can be adapted on the basis of expert advice, depending on the
target species. 1 x 1 cm (0.4 inches x 0.4 inches) is recommended for
tortoises. |
20cm (8inches) |
30 cm (12 inches) folded horizontally. |
- |
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. |
Best Management
Practices for Mitigating the Effects of Roads on Amphibians and Reptile
Species at Risk in Ontario. |
2016 |
Canada |
A mesh size of 0.63 cm
(0.25 inches) or smaller should be used to reduce the risk of small
snakes getting stuck in the fence. Standard chain-link fencing is not
recommended for amphibians. |
Durable fencing materials include hardware
cloth, chain link fencing, concrete barriers, and heavy-duty plastic
fencing designed for wildlife. Nylon mesh fencing or erosion materials
should not be used as snakes can become entangled and die. |
10cm - 20cm
(4inches - 8inches) |
- |
For reptiles, the fence should include an
overhang lip extended away from the road to deter
climbing |
Wildlife Institute of India |
Eco-friendly measures to mitigate impacts
of linear infrastructure on wildlife |
2016 |
India |
Fencing should
curve away from the top of the road to prevent tree frogs from climbing
and should be at least 50 cm (20 inches) high. |
100 cm (40 inch) high
reinforced cement concrete wall. |
20 cm (8 inches) |
- |
Anti-climb lip
of 50 cm (20 inches). |
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy |
Guidelines for
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation During Road Building and Management
Activities in British Columbia |
2020 |
Canada |
Fencing should have a
solid, durable framework (stakes, posts, and sheeting) to provide an
effective barrier for the target species and to withstand the weight of
snow and impact of snow removal. When more than one species is targeted
for mitigation, the fence should be the tallest height recommended for
all target species. |
Opaque fence materials are recommended, especially
where snakes or turtles occur. Mesh is not considered suitable fencing
for wildlife. Use materials that allow drainage through or beneath the
fence at wet sites to avoid water pooling at or near a crossing
structure. |
10 cm (4 inches) minimum |
- |
The top of the fence should
be folded 10 cm – 20 cm (4 inches - 8 inches) wide to create a lip that
is directed away from the road. |
Caltrans |
Measures to Reduce Road Impacts on Amphibians and Reptiles in
California: Best Management Practices and Technical Guidance |
2021 |
USA |
A general heigh of 30-70cm (12-28 in) above ground is recommended,
with tall barriers for agile species 150 cm (12-28 in). |
Solid visual
barrier, injection-moulded or sheet plastic purpose-made panels.
Polythene/geotextile/plastic material can also be used I some cases. |
30 cm (12 inches) |
- |
- |
IENE |
Wildlife and Traffic: A European Handbook for Identifying
Conflicts and Designing Solutions |
2022 |
Europe |
Wildlife fencing
can be added as a reinforcement to standard fencing or be used alone,
fixed on small poles. Some manufacturers provide small fauna fencing
which is smooth at the exterior part to avoid climbing but rough on the
interior, allowing the small fauna trapped in fenced sections. to escape
to adjacent habitats. |
Mesh fences are not suitable
for amphibians and reptiles because they can easily climb over mesh
fences. Amphibians may also be harmed if they get trapped in the
mesh.
Opaque, smooth materials such as metal, concrete or
recyclable polymers are recommended.
|
20cm - 50 cm (8 inches - 20
inches) |
- |
- |
Arizona Fish & Game Department |
Wildlife Compatible Fencing |
n.d. |
USA |
Consult with Arizona Fish & Game (non-game branch) for fencing
recommendations for reptiles and amphibians. |
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