Social and ecological structures are relations within or between areas forming the living environment for respectively humans and animals. The construction of infrastructure (such as motorways) can cause the disturbance of these structures. This paper focuses on the barrier effect as a result of the intersection of social and ecological structures by infrastructure. Important factors are described, as well as the consequences (first, second and third-order effects), national policy, and a few national and international methods for determining the impact of the barrier effect. Finally, a method is proposed in which social and ecological structures are directive for taking measures to diminish or even prevent the barrier effect, on the basis of a leading area in which a quality living environment can be sustained.
Abstract