Road Zone Effects in Small-Mammal Communities

Bissonette, John A.; Rosa, Silvia

doi:10.5751/es-02753-140127

Cited by 61 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Transmitter-equipped bobcats showed an avoidance of areas in proximity to roads based on use-versus-availability analysis (Reed 2013) .That avoidance could be a consequence of limited prey in these areas or a response to a perceived risk factor (e.g., traffic noise). We suspect that perceived risk is a more likely explanation because roadsides are often characterized by brushy edges that may be suitable habitat for potential prey (Bissonette and Rosa 2009;Fahrig and Rytwinski 2009). This may be especially relevant to some multi-lane highways in our study area that support relatively dense populations of lagomorphs (J. Litvaitis, personal observations; Fenderson et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a Model Organism to Investigate the Effects of Roads on Wide-Ranging Carnivores

Litvaitis

Reed

Carroll

et al. 2015

Environmental Management

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We are using bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a model organism to examine how roads affect the abundance, distribution, and genetic structure of a wide-ranging carnivore. First, we compared the distribution of bobcat-vehicle collisions to road density and then estimated collision probabilities for specific landscapes using a moving window with road-specific traffic volume. Next, we obtained incidental observations of bobcats from the public, camera-trap detections, and locations of bobcats equipped with GPS collars to examine habitat selection. These data were used to generate a cost-surface map to investigate potential barrier effects of roads. Finally, we have begun an examination of genetic structure of bobcat populations in relation to major road networks. Distribution of vehicle-killed bobcats was correlated with road density, especially state and interstate highways. Collision models suggested that some regions may function as demographic sinks. Simulated movements in the context of the cost-surface map indicated that some major roads may be barriers. These patterns were supported by the genetic structure of bobcats. The sharpest divisions among genetically distinct demes occurred along natural barriers (mountains and large lakes) and in road-dense regions. In conclusion, our study has demonstrated the utility of using bobcats as a model organism to understand the variety of threats that roads pose to a wide-ranging species. Bobcats may also be useful as one of a group of focal species while developing approaches to maintain existing connectivity or mitigate the negative effects of roads.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a Model Organism to Investigate the Effects of Roads on Wide-Ranging Carnivores

Litvaitis

Reed

Carroll

et al. 2015

Environmental Management

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“…The objective of mitigation is typically enhanced traffic safety rather than conservation. Important research efforts have focussed on identifying factors that explain the spatiotemporal distribution of roadkills, especially ungulates (Puglisi et al 1974;Bashore et al 1985;Finder et al 1999;Hubbard et al 2000;Joyce and Mahoney 2001;Nielsen et al 2003;Malo et al 2004;Mysterud 2004;Seiler 2004Seiler , 2005, but also large carnivores (Kolowski and Nielsen 2008) and smaller mammals (Inbar and Mayer 1999;Clevenger et al 2003;Ramp et al 2005;Bissonette and Rosa 2009;Grilo et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing wolf Canis lupus roadkills in Northwest Spain

2010

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Roadkill is one of the most prominent causes of wildlife mortality. Much research effort has focussed on collisions with ungulates because of traffic safety. However, studies about large carnivore roadkills are scarce despite vehicles being a main cause of mortality. The absence of studies can be explained in part because of difficulties in obtaining sufficient sample sizes. We collected data from locations of 82 wolf roadkill sites in the Castilla y León Region, northwest Spain. We evaluated different models to characterise collision localities using logistic regressions with corrections for rare events. The best models included traffic and human disturbance parameters. Landscape variables did not improve predictive power. Fencing was a decisive key predictor; roadkill was proportionally higher along fenced highways than on similar major roads that lacked fences. Wolf-vehicle collisions were more common in agricultural areas, although wolf densities were lower in these zones. Both the higher density of important roads and a greater proportion of roaming wolves on the plateau may explain this pattern.

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“…Aside from the known direct negative effects of roads through hunting and logging access to remote areas (Coffin 2007;Goosem 2007) and wildlife mortality through vehicle collisions (Bissonette and Rosa 2009), roads also facilitate the spread of exotic flora and fauna (Hulme 2009), influence the spread of disease and danger to public health (Hahn et al 2014), introduce chemicals (Coffin 2007), alter microclimates (Camargo and Kapos 1995;Fraser 2014), increase the risk of fires (Fraser 2014) and act as dispersal barriers limiting the movements of individuals with and between populations (Bissonette and Rosa 2009;Goosem 2007;Laurance et al 2014a;Pocock and Lawrence 2005). As such, the negative effects of roads can extend well beyond physical boundaries into the forest landscape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The response of faunal biodiversity to an unmarked road in the Western Amazon

et al. 2015

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Roads are an increasingly common feature of forest landscapes all over the world, and while information accumulates regarding the impacts of roads globally, there remains a paucity of information within tropical regions. Here we investigate the potential for biodiversity impacts from an unmarked road within a rainforest protected area in Western Amazonia. We focus on three key taxonomic groups; amphibians, butterflies and birds, each of which have been shown to be both sensitive and reliable indicators of forest disturbance. In total, 315 amphibians of 26 different species, 348 butterflies of 65 different species, 645 birds representing 77 different species were captured using mist netting and 877 bird records representing 79 different species were recorded using point counts. We provide evidence to show that the presence of a small unmarked road significantly altered levels of faunal species richness, diversity, relative abundance and community structure. This was true to a varying degree for all three taxa, up to and potentially beyond 350 m Communicated by Dirk Sven Schmeller.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (into the forest interior. Responses to the road were shown to be taxon specific. We found increasing proximity to the road had a negative effect on amphibian and understorey bird communities, whilst butterfly and overall diurnal bird communities responded positively. We show that the impact on biodiversity extends up to at least 32 % of the whole reserve area; a serious impact under any scenario. This work provides support for recently voiced calls to limit networks of unmarked roads in order to realistically and effectively preserve natural levels of tropical biodiversity.

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Road Zone Effects in Small-Mammal Communities

Cited by 61 publications

References 47 publications

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a Model Organism to Investigate the Effects of Roads on Wide-Ranging Carnivores

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a Model Organism to Investigate the Effects of Roads on Wide-Ranging Carnivores

Factors influencing wolf Canis lupus roadkills in Northwest Spain

The response of faunal biodiversity to an unmarked road in the Western Amazon

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