The Table of Contents provides a structured overview of the Biodiversity & Infrastructure Handbook. It helps users navigate the main themes and quickly access chapters and sub-sections covering ecological effects of infrastructure, policy and planning approaches, the mitigation hierarchy, and practical solutions to reduce impacts and benefit nature.
Each chapter brings together scientific background, implementation guidance and references relevant to transport and linear infrastructure. The content supports decision-making throughout the infrastructure life cycle — from strategic planning and design to construction, operation, maintenance and upgrades.
Use this page to browse topics, identify relevant measures, and locate detailed recommendations. For key terminology and shared definitions, consult the Glossary. For national resources and best-practice documents by language and country, visit the Guidelines Portal.
- 1. Ecological effects of infrastructure
- 2. Policy, strategy and planning
- 3. The mitigation hierarchy
- 4. Integration of infrastructure into the landscape
- 5. Solutions to mitigate impacts and benefit nature
- 5.1. Introduction
- 5.2. Fencing
- 5.2.1. Location and length
- 5.2.2. Design and dimensions
- 5.2.3. Fence material and mesh types
- 5.2.4. Fencing and reinforcements for small vertebrates
- 5.2.5. Adaptation of existing fences and other systems to deter burrowing animals
- 5.2.6. Poles
- 5.2.7. Escape devices
- 5.2.8. Cattle grids and gates
- 5.2.9. Other points of attention
- 5.2.10. Fencing and screening for flying fauna
- 5.3. Driver warnings
- 5.4. Wildlife deterrents
- 5.5. Wildlife passages
- 5.5.1. Types and dimensions of fauna passages
- 5.5.2. Landscape overpasses (Ecoducts, Green bridges) and wildlife overpasses
- 5.5.3. Multiuse overpasses
- 5.5.4 Tree-top overpasses (Canopy bridges)
- 5.5.5. Bat crossing devices
- 5.5.6. Adapted viaducts (Landscape underpasses)
- 5.5.7. Wildlife underpasses
- 5.5.8. Multiuse underpasses
- 5.5.9. Small fauna underpasses
- 5.5.10. Adapted culverts
- 5.5.11. Fish passages
- 5.5.12. Amphibian passages
- 5.5.13. At grade fauna passages (level crossing)
- 5.6. Measures to reduce disturbances
- 5.7. Habitat-related to transport infrastructure (HTI) management
- 5.8. Invasive Alien Species (IAS)
- 5.9. Adaptation of infrastructure to climate change: risk and opportunities for biodiversity
- 5.10. Measures to reduce risks caused by railway electrification system
- 5.11. Measures to reduce risks caused by powerlines
- 5.12. Measures to reduce impacts at airports
- 5.14. References
- 6. Evaluation and monitoring
- 7. Maintenance