Road ecology blog: Wildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The Netherlands. The structure is used by red deer (Cervus elaphus) but the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was also one of the target species for the overpass. Ponds on either side, and shallow pools on top of the structure (a pump pumped water from one of the pools to the top of the overpass) were provided to create a wet zone on one side of the overpass. Berms with root wads and shrubs provide cover on either side and also reduce visual and noise disturbance.

Wildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The NetherlaWildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The Netherlands. The structure is used by red deer (Cervus eleaphus) but the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was also one of the target species for the overpass. Ponds on either side, and shallow pools on top of the structure (a pump pumped water from one of the pools to the top of the overpass) were provided to create a wet zone on one side of the overpass. Berms with rootwads and shrubs provide cover on either side and also reduce visual and noise disturbance.

Image below: A great crested newt (Triturus cristatus). Each individual has a unique pattern on its belly that can be used to identify individual animals in capture-mark-recapture experiments.

Northern crested newt (also known as great crested newt or wartyNorthern crested newt (also known as great crested newt or warty newt) (Triturus cristatus), The Netherlands. Each individual has a unique pattern on their belly that can be used to distinguish between different individuals

Image below: The wet zone on the overpass is protected from cattle (used as a tool in nature management in the area) with a livestock fence. Note the small dams just above the center of the image that result in small pools during wetter times of the year. One of the berms is on the left side.

Wildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The NetherlaWildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The Netherlands. The structure is used by red deer (Cervus eleaphus) but the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was also one of the target species for the overpass. Ponds on either side, and shallow pools on top of the structure (a pump pumped water from one of the pools to the top of the overpass) were provided to create a wet zone on one side of the overpass. Berms with rootwads and shrubs provide cover on either side and also reduce visual and noise disturbance.

Wildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The NetherlaWildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The Netherlands. The structure is used by red deer (Cervus eleaphus) but the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was also one of the target species for the overpass. Ponds on either side, and shallow pools on top of the structure (a pump pumped water from one of the pools to the top of the overpass) were provided to create a wet zone on one side of the overpass. Berms with rootwads and shrubs provide cover on either side and also reduce visual and noise disturbance.

Image below: Detail of the berm in the dry zone. It consists of soil, root wads, shrubs (including thorny species such as bramble (Rubus spp.).

Wildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The NetherlaWildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The Netherlands. The structure is used by red deer (Cervus eleaphus) but the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was also one of the target species for the overpass. Ponds on either side, and shallow pools on top of the structure (a pump pumped water from one of the pools to the top of the overpass) were provided to create a wet zone on one side of the overpass. Berms with rootwads and shrubs provide cover on either side and also reduce visual and noise disturbance. Wildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The NetherlaWildlife overpass "Groene Woud" across A2 motorway, The Netherlands. The structure is used by red deer (Cervus eleaphus) but the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was also one of the target species for the overpass. Ponds on either side, and shallow pools on top of the structure (a pump pumped water from one of the pools to the top of the overpass) were provided to create a wet zone on one side of the overpass. Berms with rootwads and shrubs provide cover on either side and also reduce visual and noise disturbance.

Click here for more images of wildlife overpass "Groene Woud".

Click here for images of wildlife fencing.

Click here for images of multifunctional underpasses.

Click here for images of wildlife underpasses.

For other images of wildlife overpasses (wildlife only) click here.

For images of multifunctional wildlife overpasses (wildlife, water, humans, non-motorized vehicles, motorized vehicles) click here.

For images of landscape bridges, road tunnels or very wide overpasses over longer road sections click here.

Like Marcel Huijser Photography on Facebook

All content © 2019 Marcel Huijser