Spatial Characteristics of Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions of Water Deer in Korea Expressway

Abstract

In recent decades, rapid industrial growth has accelerated the construction of new roads, which has led to the destruction and isolation of wildlife habitats. Newly constructed roads affect wildlife in many ways. In particular, fatal wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) have a direct impact on wildlife. A substantial number of WVCs occur every year on expressways, where vehicle speeds and vehicle traffic are significant. However, our understanding of the relative importance of the factors associated with areas in which large numbers of WVCs occur on the expressway remains poor. Therefore, herein, we analyze the spatial characteristics of WVCs. The effect of spatial distribution on the occurrence of WVCs was analyzed using the types of land cover in the areas where water deer appear (Cheongju, Boeun, and Sangju) and the areas in which WVCs occur along the Cheongju–Sangju Expressway (CSE). We identified the WVC hotspots by using CSE patrol data recorded between January 2008 and December 2019, and we analyzed the corresponding distribution patterns and land cover characteristics. Along the CSE, a total of 1082 WVCs occurred, out of which collisions involving water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) accounted for 91%. Water deer appear frequently in Forested Areas and Agricultural Land, but the WVC distribution in the Hotspots followed a highly clustered pattern, with a higher proportion of WVCs occurring in Used Areas (areas including buildings such as residential facilities, commercial and industrial facilities, and transportation facilities). Used Areas have a smaller cut slope compared to Forested Areas, and Used Areas are open terrains. Therefore, the occurrence of WVCs will be high given that wildlife can easily access the expressway. Based on these results, we can infer that the landscapes near the expressway influence the occurrence of WVCs. To establish an effective policy for reducing WVCs on a road, the WVC characteristics and spatial distribution of the road should be considered together. Further research on the wildlife ecology and land-use status of WVC hotspots is required to mitigate WVCs on expressways and protect human and animal life. Therefore, if the characteristics of WVC hotspots are analyzed considering the characteristics of various ecosystems, an appropriate WVC reduction plan can be established.

Dead mammal walking: A month‐long march by a bison (Bison bison) after an ungulate–vehicle collision

“…Given these observations, coupled with a high number of UVC that occur in this population, it is likely that other bison face a similar fate to Bison 009. Similar to others (Bíl & Andrášik, 2020; Park et al, 2021; Snow et al, 2015), we suggest caution when using data on UVC that may include pronounced underestimating, because not all animals killed in UVC are found. We urge managers to consider roadside counts of road‐killed animals as a minimum count.…”

“…Although bison are a large animal, if Bison 009 did not carry a GPS collar we would have never known she was involved in a UVC, her fate would have not been known, and the carcass never found. Taken together, the movements and final resting place of Bison 009 illuminate how estimates of mortality because of a UVC can easily be underestimated when the animal does not die immediately or shortly thereafter (Bíl & Andrášik, 2020; Park et al, 2021; Snow et al, 2015). This underestimate may be particularly pronounced if many individuals died in locations where they are not likely to be found or attributed to an earlier UVC, such as in the case of Bison 009.…”

“…Unfortunately, the number of UVC is accelerating (Borowik et al, 2021; Hill et al, 2020; Kučas & Balčiauskas, 2020). New roads are built annually, including in sparsely populated areas (Ignatavičius et al, 2020), and roads are being newly constructed or reconfigured in a manner that enhances driver safety but facilitates greater speed by motorists and increased traffic volume (e.g., wider, smoother, and straighter; e.g., Bíl et al, 2020; Boyle et al, 2020; Park et al, 2021). As such, substantial effort is needed to accurately record UVC so that the number of incidents and where and when they occur can be used to rationalize and develop effective mitigation strategies (Brennan et al, 2022; Favilli et al, 2018; Mayer et al, 2021; Rea et al, 2021; Saint‐Andrieux et al, 2020).…”

“…However, records of UVC based on counts of roadside carcasses or reports by drivers involved in these incidents are assuredly underestimates. This is because not all ungulates struck die immediately or at the roadside or are reported by drivers or highway workers (Bíl & Andrášik, 2020; Park et al, 2021; Snow et al, 2015). Underestimating UVC is a poignant problem because it may lead to a lack of willingness to address the issue or, moreover, potentially developing mitigation strategies that are spatially or temporally ineffective at reducing UVC (Bíl & Andrášik, 2020; Snow et al, 2015).…”

Identification of Emerging Roadkill Hotspots on Korean Expressways Using Space–Time Cubes

“…The KEC employees in charge of roadkills record data, detailed information including dates, times, longitude and latitude, the number and type of carcasses discovered during daily expressway patrols in three shifts on a daily basis regularly. Thereafter, they remove the animal carcasses from the road to ensure that the same carcass is not recorded twice [ 25 ].…”