Habitat Highway

Instant Landscape Connectivity

The Problem

Our landscape is heavily fragmented

Fragmentation is where elements such as roads and other linear infrastructure divide the landscape into separate patches of land. These patches of land act like islands in the greater landscape and some provide appropriate habitat for wildlife whereas, others will be so degraded that very little can survive there.

Across the world, we have exisiting structures that go over or under roads and they could be better suited to provide connectivity for native wildlife.

We have identified numerous structures on the highway near our international headquarters in the UK and have begun monitoring 2 on the site of the Bursledon Brickworks.

Our aim is to understand how they are currently used by wildlife and then design ecological enhancements to increase the diversity of species that will use the structure.

The Solution

Instant landscape connectivity

The Animex HABITAT HIGHWAY instantly transforms existing infrastructure and provides vital habitat connectivity for wildlife.

This modular system has been designed to be adaptable and easily deployable to add greenery to any urban structure.

Made from recycled materials the system is supplied full of established native plants designed to merge with local habitats, soil types and species.

This innovative ecological solution contributes towards carbon capture and biodiversity net gain calculations at a fraction of the cost of building new green bridges.

  • Instant Landscape Connectivity

  • Biodiversity Net Gain

  • Modular System

  • Carbon Capture

  • Low Maintenance

  • Temporary & Permanent Solutions

BEFORE: Unused overpass crossing the M27.

AFTER: HABITAT HIGHWAY added to one side of an existing overpass.

M27 Pilot Project

Rebuilding Bridges

Since summer 2022 we have been monitoring 2 bridges that span the M27.

Our aim is to understand what wildlife is currently using them so we understand what species are absent and can therefore compare any increase in biodiversity after we install an Animex HABITAT HIGHWAY.

Animals currently observed to use them most are:

  • European badger Meles meles

  • Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

  • Red fox Vulpes vulpes

  • European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

We have more data to process but have identified that the bridges are not currently being used significantly by birds, dormice, invertebrates, bats, reptiles and amphibians.

Installation of a HABITAT HIGHWAY and phase 2 monitoring is planned to begin early in 2024.

Conceptual before an after images of a concrete footpath being enhanced with the Animex HABITAT HIGHWAY to create native scrub and wildflower corridors.