This research under this programme will take into account the possible conflict of promoting biodiversity versus the risk of creating ecological traps (e.g. by providing favourable habitats there is a higher mortality risk for wildlife), and how road infrastructure may contribute to increased ecosystem connectivity. It is an overarching goal that the research outputs will be implementable in practice.
The programme is addressing two specific challenges:
A: Alien invasive plant species: prevention, detection and control in construction and maintenance
B: Biodiversity along the road verges and infrastructure related constructions: protection and promotion during construction, operation and maintenance works
The Programme Executive Board (PEB) brings together representatives from Austria, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.
There are two projects under this programme.
ControlInRoad – Controlling the spread of invasive species with innovative methods in road construction and maintenance
ControlInRoad brings together experts from different disciplines - engineers and researchers - to develop and evaluate methods to prevent the spread of invasive alien plant species during road construction and maintenance. In line with this goal, the project will:
Project results:
For further information, please visit the project website here.
EPIC ROADS – Project Ecology in Practice: Improving infrastruCture habitats along roads
The EPIC ROADS project aims to provide European NRAs with a knowledge base and practical guidelines for the construction and maintenance of Habitats related to Transport Infrastructure (HTIs). The objective is to help road authorities take full advantage of the potential of transport infrastructures to contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Project results: