Design of electric fences in the Cansiglio forest (FVG) for the LIFE SPAN project

LIFE SPAN project (Saproxylic Habitat Network) aims to develop and test management solutions that guarantee forest biodiversity conservation focusing on saproxylic species. Intervention will be carried out in order to increase the presence of deadwood (e.g. standing and laying dead trees), microhabitat (e.g. trunk cavities), structural heterogeneity (horizontally and vertically) and gaps. Gaps are very rare in productive forests therefore, species associated with forest meadows and forest edges became rare. In order to enrich the availability of flowering herbaceous species and sun exposed deadwood, inside each SHS (Saproxylic Habitat Sites), in an area of about 1500 square meters all trees will be cut. In Italy, to limit deer overgrazing, which can reduce the availability of flowering herbaceous species, each clear-cut area will be fenced using wire fences and woody material from cut trees. This paper describesthe technical procedures, equipment and materials required for the implementation of electric fences and remote control of proper operation over time.