Mechelen (Brussels Morning) – The Battenbroek nature reserve in Mechelen, Belgium is enhancing an underutilized tunnel under the E19 highway into a dedicated animal passage to improve wildlife connectivity and reduce road mortality benefiting species like otters, beavers and birds.
The Battenbroek nature reserve in Mechelen Belgium will be getting a new animal passage under the E19 highway starting today. The existing Battenbroek tunnel which is currently underutilized by vehicles will be partially converted into a dedicated passage for animals to migrate between the two sides of the reserve.
Improving Connectivity and Ecological Functioning at the Battenbroek Wetland Habitat
The project aims to improve connectivity for wildlife in the Battenbroek area by allowing animals to safely cross the highway. This will help prevent road mortality and enable species to move between habitats on either side of the E19.
The conversion works are expected to last until the end of September. During this time the tunnel will be modified to be more suitable for animal use such as by adding features like ledges or shelves along the walls that allow smaller species to pass.
The Battenbroek is an important wetland habitat that is home to a variety of animals including otters, beavers, muskrats and various bird species. Improving connectivity through the new animal passage will help support the ecological functioning of the reserve by facilitating movement and gene flow between populations.
This project is part of a broader effort to enhance green infrastructure and ecological connectivity in the region which can provide benefits for both biodiversity and flood management. By working to accommodate the needs of wildlife the Battenbroek animal passage aims to make the E19 highway more permeable and reduce the barrier effect it has on local ecosystems.
