Newt fencing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Newt Fencing is a barrier designed to control the movement of, or protect the habitats of Great Crested Newts or other amphibians in accordance with current UK law. It can also be referred to as Drift Fencing or TAF (Temporary Amphibian Fencing).
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[edit] Background
[edit] Legislation
The great crested newt Triturius cristatus is an amphibian native to the UK but also widespread across Northern Europe. Whilst it is relatively widespread in the UK (in fact the UK hosts one of the great crested newts most significant populations), it is rare on a European wide basis. Under the EC Habitat and Species Directive, the great crested newt is a protected species and consequently is protected under UK legislation through the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation (Natural Habitat) regulations 1994. Under these regulations it is an offence to intentionally disturb, injure or kill any great crested newt, or disturb or destroy its habitat.
[edit] Habitat
The great crested newt’s natural habitat requirements are standing fresh water for breading purposes, but the majority of its time is spent on dry land. They favour semi natural systems such as rough grassland, hedgerows and scrub woodland. An individual newt tends to have a range centred upon its breeding pool. The breeding stage of its life cycle takes place in spring, from February through to April. After this time it spends much of its time on land, ranging up to 500 from its breeding pond. Unfortunately this life cycle and use of both terrestrial and aquatic system puts it into conflict with humans. Brownfield sites often contain very good terrestrial habitat for great crested newts, and since newts can range up to 500m from their breeding ponds, a significant proportion of the UK could be considered potential newt habitat.
[edit] Planning
As part of the planning process for any development, an environmental impact assessment should include an ecological survey, which should in turn identify the potential for loss of habitat and the impact on the local population of great crested newts. If the assessment identifies possible loss of habitat or the potential to kill or disturb individual newts, it will be necessary for the developer to apply to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a licence. The licence application should set out what measures will be taken to ensure that the local population is not threatened, and how potential loss of habitat can be mitigated against.
[edit] Fencing & Trapping
To ensure that individual newts are not injured or killed by development activities, it may be necessary to enclose the site in a newt proof fence, trap the individuals within the site and/or remove them to a suitable release site. As great crested newt is a European protected species, erection of newt fencing or any capture of the animals requires a licence.
[edit] Construction
The newt fence usually consists of a plastic membrane partially buried in the ground (usually to about 200mm) The above ground portion being supported by timber stakes placed at regular intervals along the line of the fence. The fence normally has a below ground horizontal return facing out of the site to minimise the risk of newts re-entering the site through the disturbed soil layer. It should also have some form of overhang along the top edge to reduce the possibility of newts climbing over the fence.
[edit] Newt Fencing Types
Fences tend to fall into two basic categories, temporary, less than 2 years lifespan, and permanent, greater than 2years lifespan. The materials used to construct them tend to vary with the length of time the fence should remain operable. A temporary fence is normally constructed from a UV stabilised polythene sheet or woven geotextile. Permanent fences are usually constructed from rigid plastic or galvanised steel panels. In the case of temporary fencing materials, the underground return is created by folding the material at a 90 degree angle along the base of the trench, the top overhang by rolling the top edge of the membrane over a number of times to create a roll. In the case of permanent fencing, the underground return is often omitted and instead the fence is buried deeper (usually 300mm). The top overhang is created by making a fold in the material at the manufacturing stage.
[edit] Newt Collection and Trapping
Trapping is undertaken through the use of buried buckets (pitfall traps) placed alongside the fence material. The idea being that the newts follow the fence along until they fall into the open bucket. Carpet tiles (terrestrial refuges) may be used in conjunction with or instead of pitfall traps. Again theses are placed alongside the fence and provide ideal shelter for newts whilst they are resting (daytime and during dry or cold periods).
Once an ecologist is satisfied that all of the newts have been trapped from the site and that the terms of the licence have been met, construction work can begin on a site.
[edit] Further reading
- Chris Blandford Associates (CBA), Wildlife Fencing Design Guide. CIRIA, 2006. ISBN 0-86017-646-0
- Gent, A.H., & Gibson, S.D., Herpetofauna Workers' Manual. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 1998 (revised edition 2003). ISBN 1-86107-450-6
