Impact of Vehicular Traffic on Herpetofaunal Mortality in a Savanna Forest, Eastern Sri Lanka

Karunarathna, Suranjan; Henkanaththegedara, Sujan M.; Amarasinghe, A.A. Thasun; Silva, Anslem de

doi:10.4038/tapro.v5i2.6284

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Many spatial factors contribute to the distribution of WvC (farrell et al 2002), including topography, wildlife concentrations and density (Hubbard et al 2000), and highway proximity to preferred and seasonal habitats (farrell et al 2002, Romin and Bissonette 1996. In addition to posing risks for motorists, WvC-associated mortality impacts and threatens wildlife population viability and persistence, especially for rare and imperiled species (foster and Humphrey 1995, Trombulak and frissell 2000, Garriga et al 2012, Snow et al 2012 Seshadri et al 2009), and in Sri Lanka (Karunarathna et al 2013). Karthikeyan et al (1999) (Zhang et al 2008, Kong et al 2013).…”

Section: Wildlife-vehicle Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Infrastructure Design for Transport Projects:

2020

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The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by ADB in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term "country" in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

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Section: Wildlife-vehicle Collisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Infrastructure Design for Transport Projects:

2020

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“…Such incidental mortality leads to reduced abundance and diversity of local wildlife (Gibbs & Shriver 2002;Laurance et al 2008). Continuous expansion of the land-based transport networks, their linear nature, and increasing traffic volume can amplify negative impacts of roadkills on population persistence (Carr & Fahrig 2001;Gibbs & Shriver 2002;Karunarathna et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Road networks are expanding in the developing nations with a concurrent rise in the traffic flow (Vijayakumar et al 2001;Das et al 2007). Protected areas of the developing countries have extensive road networks, which facilitates tourism, especially safaris (Laurance et al 2008;Karunarathna et al 2013). These conditions could be highly pertinent to Sri Lanka, a biodiversity-rich Indian Oceanic tropical island where a number of protected areas attract both local and international tourists (Buultjens et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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<b>Impact of vehicular traffic on vertebrate fauna in Horton plains and Yala national parks of Sri Lanka: some implications for conservation and management</b>

et al. 2017

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Impacts of roadkills are extensively documented in developed nations. Only a handful of studies on road mortality has emerged from developing nations where tourism and rural development have led to an expansion of transportation networks. To fill such gaps, we conducted a survey to document roadkills in and around two tourism-heavy national parks of Sri Lanka and identified factors that contribute to road mortality. Based on a questionnaire, we interviewed 68 local villagers, 56 local and 59 foreign visitors, and 57 safari drivers to document their opportunistic observations on roadkills, their awareness about roadkills, and to understand potential causes of roadkills. We found 47 roadkilled vertebrate species at both parks; among these, 19 are threatened and 20 are endemic. Our research revealed that herpetofauna were killed the most. We concluded that increased visitation, high-speed driving, lack of awareness, and poor law enforcement as the likely causes of roadkills at both parks. As mitigatory actions, we proposed posting speed limits, increasing awareness of the tourists and safari drivers, limiting vehicle access to the parks, seasonal or night-time access restrictions, and strict enforcement of the speed limits inside national parks.

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“…Of the country's 119 described amphibian species 104 (c. 87%) are endemic and > 90% are restricted to rainforests (Surasinghe, 2009; Wickramasinghe et al, 2015). Sri Lanka's amphibians are threatened by deforestation, environmental pollution and road traffic (Pethiyagoda et al, 2006; Karunarathna et al, 2013). These anthropogenic stressors have contributed to the extinction of 18 amphibian species, and declining populations of nearly half of the extant species (MOE, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology and demography of the Critically Endangered Kandian torrent toadAdenomus kandianus: a long-lost endemic species of Sri Lanka

Karunarathna¹,

Henkanaththegedara

Gabadage³

et al. 2016

Oryx

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The tropical island nation of Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot with a high diversity and endemism of amphibians. The endemic, stream-dwelling Kandian torrent toadAdenomus kandianusis Critically Endangered and was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2012. The species is now known from two localities in tropical montane forests. We conducted a 4-year study using transect surveys and opportunistic excursions to assess habitat associations, demographics and abundance ofA. kandianusin and around Pidurutalagala Conservation Forest. We recorded a mean of 44.25 post-metamorphs per year, with a density of < 1 individual per 100 m2, with occurrence within a narrow extent (c. 0.005 km2) of the stream channel. Behaviour and microhabitat selection varied depending on sex and stage of maturity. The species preferred moderately sized montane streams with rocky substrates and woody debris, colder temperatures, and closed-canopy, intact riparian forests. We noted size-based reversed sexual dimorphism and a strong ontogenetic relationship between snout–vent length and body weight. Anthropogenic activities such as intensive crop farming deterred the species; proximity to croplands had a negative influence on abundance. We recommend re-delineation of the boundary of Pidurutalagala Conservation Forest to incorporate the toad's habitat into the core of the reserve and thus limit the impacts of human activities. Conservation and management actions such as ex-situ breeding, population monitoring, and restoration of degraded habitats could also contribute towards the persistence of this toad. Our findings provide useful insights into ecological research on and conservation of range-restricted aquatic amphibians.

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Impact of Vehicular Traffic on Herpetofaunal Mortality in a Savanna Forest, Eastern Sri Lanka

Cited by 11 publications

References 21 publications

Green Infrastructure Design for Transport Projects:

Green Infrastructure Design for Transport Projects:

<b>Impact of vehicular traffic on vertebrate fauna in Horton plains and Yala national parks of Sri Lanka: some implications for conservation and management</b>

Ecology and demography of the Critically Endangered Kandian torrent toadAdenomus kandianus: a long-lost endemic species of Sri Lanka

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