The Biodiversity & Infrastructure Handbook is a collaborative, online knowledge hub designed to support the planning, design and management of infrastructure to make it compatible with biodiversity conservation and contribute to ecological restoration. 

Building on decades of scientific research and field experience, the handbook provides practical guidance, innovative measures and nature-based solutions to reduce the ecological impacts of infrastructure and traffic and benefit biodiversity. It supports actions to limit habitat fragmentation, strengthen green and blue infrastructure, and restore ecosystems, while contributing to climate resilience and human well-being. 

Achieving safe, resilient and sustainable infrastructure with positive outcomes for both nature and society requires strong cooperation between all stakeholders, as well as effective knowledge transfer and capacity building. This handbook contributes to that ambition by offering a living resource, continuously enriched and updated through contributions from experts and users. 

How the handbook is produced and updated

The handbook is managed by IENE, and builds on the first European Wildlife and Traffic guidelines published in 2003 following COST Action 341. The first online edition was developed by the Horizon 2020 project BISON (Biodiversity and Infrastructure Synergies and Opportunities for European Transport Networks) and was published in 2023. 

Updates are being produced by expert volunteers with support of different organisations. The process includes the draft by an expert or usually a team of experts following the ‘Guidelines for Authors’. A peer review is undertaken before following the edition process. After the Editorial Board approval the figures and infographic are produced by IENE as well as uploading the text on the Handbook website. 

We welcome your feedback and collaboration — get in touch!