Ecological connectivity analysis to reduce the barrier effect of roads. An innovative graph-theory approach to define wildlife corridors with multiple paths and without bottlenecks

Loro, Manuel; Ortega, Emilio; Arce, Rosa M.; Geneletti, Davide

doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.03.006

Cited by 95 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 48 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…For example, one model was constructed specifically to identify ideal locations for crossing structures for the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) using GPS collar data and wildlife-vehicle collision reports [140]. Another model was developed to identify habitat patches that could be restored and define wildlife corridor locations that would have the best chance of increasing landscape connectivity [141]. Again predictive models may prove to be an essential tool in the road planning and mitigation stages of future road development.…”

Section: Survey Design and Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Bennett

2017

Curr Landscape Ecol Rep

137

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The development and presence of roads can reduce landscape permeability, lead to habitat loss, and increase habitat fragmentation. It is these fundamental changes in landscape structure that can have both direct and indirect impacts on the conservation of species and biodiversity. In this review, I examine 215 research studies conducted between 2011 and 2015 that explore the impacts of roads and road networks on a wide range of species. I divided these studies into four main categories: 1) the direct effects of roads on wildlife, 2) the indirect effects of roads on wildlife, 3) the consequences of road networks on wildlife populations, and 4) survey design and mitigation including both innovations and evaluations. I found that the majority of studies (38%) explored the indirect effects of roads on wildlife, including displacement, fitness consequences, and road crossing ability of wildlife. Nevertheless, despite there being a pressing need to understand how existing road networks impact wildlife and how increasing road density may influence local and regional population persistence, only 10% of the studies considered the implications of road networks on wildlife. However, there is an increasing trend towards the development of predictive models that can be used for a better understanding of road network impacts, assess landscape connectivity, and devise mitigation. This review also highlighted the continued need to devise and evaluate mitigation measures so transportation authorities and conservation practitioners may be better equipped to address the ecological implications of roads and proposed road development.

show abstract

Section: Survey Design and Mitigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Bennett

2017

Curr Landscape Ecol Rep

137

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, a comprehensive understanding of animal movement across high‐traffic roads can better inform models that use such data to maintain connectivity of populations into the future (e.g., Loro et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The human populace would benefit by this as well, because traffic accidents involving wildlife can be dangerous for drivers that either hit an animal directly or swerve to avoid it (Conover et al 1995). Finally, a comprehensive understanding of animal movement across high-traffic roads can better inform models that use such data to maintain connectivity of populations into the future (e.g., Loro et al 2015).…”

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What's stopping you? Variability of interstate highways as barriers for four species of terrestrial rodents

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Landscape features that form a barrier for one species may not be a barrier for others, depending on how each species perceives the feature. Barriers may not be equivalent, due to unique characteristics at different locations, which may ameliorate barrier effects. In this study, we employed population genetics techniques to investigate how four Rodentia species with differing life history characteristics (fox squirrels [Sciurus niger], eastern gray squirrels [Sciurus carolinensis], eastern chipmunks [Tamias striatus], and white‐footed mice [Peromyscus leucopus]) responded to interstate highways as barriers to movement at seven locations with differing site‐specific landscape features. For comparative purposes, we included control sites that lacked heavily trafficked roads. We detected genetic differentiation relative to interstate highways among the gray squirrels, chipmunks, and white‐footed mice, but signals for differentiation among those three species varied by site, suggesting that site‐specific features are important considerations for species responses to high‐traffic roads. Chipmunk and gray squirrel populations, two forest specialist species that avoid open areas, exhibited more genetic structure corresponding with highways than either white‐footed mice (a nocturnal generalist) or fox squirrels (a larger‐bodied specialist that traverses open areas more readily than the other species in this study). Fox squirrels did not exhibit genetic differentiation at any site, whereas gray squirrel study populations evinced no population differentiation at sites with bridges spanning the interstate highway. Chipmunks also exhibited population differentiation at two of the control sites, indicating that less obvious barriers in the landscape may be as important as roads for sensitive species. We interpreted variation in genetic differentiation of species across sites in the context of how interstate highway features (i.e., the presence and condition of drainage culverts and bridges near study sites), combined with species‐specific life history characteristics, influence the barrier potential of highways. Culvert presence generally corresponded with a low or nonexistent barrier effect; however, an open, large culvert (>8 m in height) may create a semi‐permeable barrier for species that avoid open areas. Bridge presence appeared to facilitate gray squirrel and chipmunk dispersal across highways.

show abstract

“…Analysis at finer-scales should be made to get more accurate information (position, slope, environment, and others) for decision-making. In the future, a suggested more feasible way is to emphasize ecological connectivity during infrastructure planning [42].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional Ecological Network Planning for Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of China’s Poyang Lake Eco-Economic Region

Yang¹,

Cai²,

Chen³

2017

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ecological connectivity analysis to reduce the barrier effect of roads. An innovative graph-theory approach to define wildlife corridors with multiple paths and without bottlenecks

Cited by 95 publications

References 48 publications

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

What's stopping you? Variability of interstate highways as barriers for four species of terrestrial rodents

Regional Ecological Network Planning for Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of China’s Poyang Lake Eco-Economic Region

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About