The Unseen Heroes of Construction: Snail, Toad, Bat - puny critters that can derail Builders' dreams
Build Disruption: These beings are the bane of construction workers' existence - Builders' Worst Nightmares: These Creatures Cause Havoc
Tread lightly, humans! When it comes to our grand plans, Mother Nature sure takes quite a hit. Whether it's expanding highways or enlarging airports, forests get chopped, lakes dry up, and habitats disappear. Yet, fascinatingly, sometimes, simple field mice andthe tiniest creatures can bring million-dollar projects to a standstill.
In the heart of Frankfurt, the airport once faced additional 70,000 euros construction costs due to protecting the descendants of the stag beetle. This meant transplanting tree stumps harbouring the beetles' eggs. Just two larvae made it through.
Roadblocks: Animal Barricades and their Enemies
Once a battery testing center was slated for construction in Berlin, it was none other than the common toad that threw a wild spanner in the works. The project involved an investment of a whopping 18 million euros, but the Higher Administrative Court sided with the house amphibian. So, construction came to a screeching halt.
Browse the picture gallery to delve deeper into animal blockers and their adversaries.
More Snaps from this Gallery
- Building Delays
- Tiny Titans
- Huge Financial Implications
What Exactly are Animal Blockers?
In the world of construction, animal blockers are ingenious barriers aimed at keeping animals at bay from specific zones, such as beneath fences, around structures, or within agricultural zones. These devices play a crucial role in preserving wildlife, preventing property damage, and prioritizing safety during significant development. Here are some examples and their importance:
Examples of Animal Barricades
- Mesh Netting: Used to close gaps beneath fences, preventing tiny critters like rodents and rabbits from passing through.
- Steel Trenching: Involves digging deep trenches extending beyond fence limits, deterring animals from digging underneath.
- Timber Barriers: Wooden planks, particularly cedar, are used to fill gaps in fences. Due to its robust design and resistance to boring insects, cedar serves as preventive measure.
- DIG DEFENCE Barrier: Patented steel fence panels designed to resist large animals from burrowing underneath, extending fence protection.
- GapGard Barrier System: A no-dig barrier system, designed to fill gaps under fences, porches, or decks, preventing animals from entering these spaces.
Environmental, Economic, and Social Impact
Environmental Impact
- Wildlife Conservation: Animal blockades ensure wildlife is kept away from hazardous conditions, thereby minimizing harm and adverse effects on ecosystems.
- Habitat Preservation: By restricting animal access to certain areas, these barriers maintain natural habitats and support biodiversity.
Economic Impact
- Saving Construction Costs: Animal blockades lower maintenance expenses by decreasing damages caused by critters, resulting in cost-effectiveness over time.
- Project Efficiency Boost: Fewer encounters with animals mean smoother construction processes and, potentially, shorter project timelines.
Community and Social Impact
- Enhanced Safety: By keeping wildlife out of residential or construction areas, they reduce the risk of accidents and contribute to community safety.
- Community Acceptance: Implementing animal blockers shows commitment to responsible development and environmental stewardship, inevitably boosting community acceptance of large-scale construction projects.
The Commission has also been consulted on the following points: construction costs, steel trenching, and bat as a potential animal blocker. The protection of a bat's habitat could potentially save construction costs due to the effectiveness of steel trenching in deterring animals from digging underneath.
An additional 70,000 euros construction costs were incurred in Frankfurt due to protecting the descendants of a bat. This massive financial implication highlights the important role that such animal blockades play in construction, even for seemingly unassuming creatures.
The Higher Administrative Court considered the common toad as a formidable adversary during the planning of a battery testing center in Berlin. The project's environmental, economic, and social implications made way for community acceptance and ensured the protection of the native wildlife, confirming the extensive role of animal blockers in construction.
