From toads to bats: wildlife along the route of the hydrogen network

'Before we can start work, we need to know exactly which plants and animals live in an area', Stijn explains. 'We also need to understand the impact our work might have on them.' Ecological surveys are a legal requirement and help to prevent harm to protected species.

We are studying the entire route of the hydrogen network. This has, for example, just happened in the North Sea Canal area. 'We start at our desks, using existing data and maps. Which species might be found there? Then we go out into the field to see what actually lives there. Next, we’ll look at how the planned work will affect those species.'

The route of the hydrogen network passes through vastly different areas: under water, around ports, through peat meadows and through woodlands. 'That means we’re dealing with a wide variety of natural environments, all along a single pipeline', Stijn says.

In the North Sea Canal Area, between Beverwijk and Amsterdam, we are reusing an existing natural gas pipeline. 'That not only saves costs but also minimises the impact on nature. Since the pipeline is already in place, most of the work will be done inside the pipes.'

How we lay the pipeline will also make a difference. 'Different techniques have different impacts on the surrounding area and the local ecology. That’s why we always consider what is technically possible, what is feasible and what that means for the natural environment. We have to balance these factors every single time.'

Ecological research is not carried out all at once. 'Some species are only seen at certain times of year’, Stijn says. ‘That’s why we do our research in phases.'

For example, rare plants are observed during the growing season, and in winter ecologists check trees for nests that are protected year-round, such as those of buzzards. Sometimes, animals require extra detective work. 'You can hear the mating calls of natterjack toads on summer nights, so that’s when ecologists go out in the field to find out where and how many there are.'

Larger mammals such as foxes and martens are observed using wildlife cameras. 'That gives us a clear picture of the situation without disturbing the animals.'

Protected species were indeed found in the North Sea Canal area. 'For example, there are natterjack toads near Ruigoord and along the Ruigoordweg', Stijn notes. 'We also found beech martens near Spaarnwoude, close to a shut-off station.'

The presence of these animals does not mean the project will be halted, but it does mean that measures are required. 'Our aim is always to carry out the work while protecting nature.' We are incorporating these measures into the environmental permit for flora and fauna activities, for which the project is currently preparing an application.

For the beech martens, we are improving their habitat both during and after our work. 'We’re providing additional nesting sites and enhancing connecting routes so these animals can move around more easily.'

To protect natterjack toads, ecologists will take additional measures during the pipeline work. 'We erect screens around the work site so toads cannot get onto it and they are not disturbed. Before we start work, we carefully remove the toads from the area where we’ll be working.' A suitable alternative habitat is temporarily set up while we are on site. 'Once the work is complete, we return the area to its original state.'

Ground-dwelling animals are not the only ones that need attention. 'There’s a fixed flight path for bats over the North Sea Canal', Stijn explains. Since bats are sensitive to light, we take that into account. 'We keep lighting to a minimum, only use light where we’re working, and direct it downwards. That way, we disrupt their flight paths as little as possible.'

What does Stijn like best about his work? 'That we’re moving the project forward while at the same time providing the protection that nature deserves.'

In his view, ecological research is not a fixed endpoint, but an ongoing process. 'It’s a jigsaw puzzle we’re putting together step by step. But it’s precisely that balance between building new energy infrastructure and caring for nature that makes this work so interesting.'