Construction's Nighttime Troublemakers: Snails, Toads, Bats, Oh My!
Halting Development: These Cursed Creatures are Builders' Nightmare - Builders' Worst Nightmares: Intrusive and Destructive Behaviors of Certain Animals
Nothing haltsts a construction project like an uninvited guest. Be it expanding a freeway or building an expansive airport, Mother Nature never misses a chance to make humans pay for their ambitions.
But sometimes, the tiniest of creatures can bring multi-million dollar projects to a grinding halt. Case in point, the common toad. A Berlin battery test center's million-euro dreams were shattered when the charismatic amphibian decided to hang out there, much to the horror of the project's financiers. The Higher Administrative Court ruled in the toad's favor, leaving the test center as a distant memory.
Confrontation of Construction and wildlife: Animal Barriers and their Adversaries
Not always, but often, human construction ends up becoming a death sentence for certain species. Sometimes, it's the tender paws of a field mouse, or the little legs of a beetle that thwarts a construction project. The Frankfurt Airport spent an additional 70,000 euros to build a structure because the descendants of the stag beetle had to be protected. Tree stumps serving as the beetle's nursery were even transplanted. Despite the huge expenses, only two larvae made it.
Gallery: Construction Delays, Starring the Little Stars of our Ecosystem
- Construction Paralysis
- Mother Nature's Champions
- Multi-million-dollar Delay
Animal Barriers in Construction
While the term "animal blockers" isn't explicitly used in the construction industry, the concept revolves around measures or materials employed to keep animals away from structures or protect built structures from animal damage. Examples of such techniques include:
- Wildlife Fencing: Commonly used to keep animals at bay during construction and from approaching built structures.
- Animal Deterrent Systems: Employing physical barriers such as netting or mesh to deter animals from nesting near buildings.
- Electrical Barriers: Utilized to deter animals from climbing structures like bridges or buildings. However, these can have both pros and cons, like altering the environment negatively if not designed appropriately.
The use of such barriers can lead to increased construction costs due to the materials and labor required for installation, as well as potential negative impacts on the environment if designed ineffectively. For instance, inappropriate wildlife fencing may cause animals to become trapped or disrupt their migration paths.
Court Battles
While specific court cases focusing on the use of animal barriers in construction are not widely discussed, they often revolve around environmental regulations, property rights, and the impact of construction on wildlife habitats. Disputes can arise when construction projects encroach upon protected habitats and alleged violations of environmental laws are claimed.
For case-in-point, in the United States, the Endangered Species Act comes into play frequently when construction projects pose a threat to listed species. Should a construction project necessitate the use of animal barriers to protect a listed species, disputes may arise if the barrier's design and effectiveness are challenged in legal battles.
The Commission has also been consulted on the following points: environmental-science, science, industry, finance, aerospace, and business, regarding the impact of construction projects on wildlife and the use of animal barriers to protect both animals and built structures. The use of animal barriers can lead to increased construction costs, potential negative impacts on the environment, and even court battles, as in the case of listed species under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Construction projects have been brought to a halt by the most unusual of creatures, like the common toad and the descendants of the stag beetle, highlighting the importance of considering their habitat and protection in construction planning.
