Wildlife roadkill and COVID‐19: A biologically significant, but heterogeneous, reduction

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 59(5), С. 1291 - 1301

Опубликована: Фев. 22, 2022

Abstract Collisions with vehicles are a major cause of wildlife mortality. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, many countries enforced lockdowns that reduced vehicular traffic and consequently wildlife‐vehicle collisions. However, no study has yet explored how traffic‐related mortality declined across multiple species wildlife, leaving doubts about species‐specific impact on ecology management. We modelled two (in spring autumn 2020) influenced collisions throughout Slovenia, in central Europe, by comparing weekly roadkill 2020 2010–2019 time series for European roe deer ( n = 53,259), red fox 9,889), Eurasian badger 5,170), brown hare 5,050), stone marten 4,267), wild boar 1,188) 1,088). lockdown (16 March–30 April 2020), we observed far fewer than expected badgers. (20 October–31 December significantly boar, but noted an excess Traffic reduction had influence deer, whose decreased between 156 321 individuals. Heterogeneous changes road seven studied indicate reductions human mobility can trigger complex dynamics assemblages, which may generate compensatory effects beyond lockdowns. For some species, such as local number attained significant fraction overall This could affect population cases where repeated over years. Policy implications . Management aimed at reducing traffic, therefore disturbance roadkill, be evaluated using time‐series analysis data species. times restricted movement, local‐scale should estimated accounted adaptive management, planning culling quotas, to minimize their ecological socio‐economic impacts while optimizing outcomes science‐based

Язык: Английский

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Deforestation and predator species richness as potential environmental drivers for roadkill of wild water deer in South Korea

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2025

The roadkill incidence of Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) has become a nationwide concern in recent years because its contribution to biodiversity loss. Various environmental risk factors for the occurrence events were found. However, there is gap observational studies focusing on effects deforestation and predator species richness roadkill, despite their plausible mechanisms. This study aimed investigate associations between South Korea. We analyzed 1,986 recorded highway routes managed by National Transport Center from 2019 2021 as an outcome variable, values collated explanatory variables. Multivariate logistic regression models used these associations. highlighted two main variables: deforestation, results indicate that higher level was associated with odds incidence, ratio 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.25] ordinary model 1.11 (95% credible 1.03-1.21) spatial model. Conversely, negatively events, 0.75 0.69 0.80) 0.76 0.66-0.86) These findings suggest conservational effort, such preventing wildlife diversity mitigating could reduce events.

Язык: Английский

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The impact of the COVID‐19 lockdowns on wildlife–vehicle collisions in the UK

Journal of Animal Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 92(6), С. 1244 - 1255

Опубликована: Апрель 18, 2023

Abstract Wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) cause millions of vertebrate mortalities globally, threatening population viability and influencing wildlife behaviour survival. Traffic volume speed can influence mortality on roads, but roadkill risk is species specific depends ecological traits. The COVID‐19 pandemic, associated UK‐wide lockdowns, offered a unique opportunity to investigate how reducing traffic alters WVC. These periods reduced human mobility have been coined the ‘anthropause’. We used anthropause identify which traits may render vulnerable did this by comparing relative change in WVC with differing before during anthropause. Generalised Additive Model predictions assess 19 most frequently observed as UK exhibited changes road two lockdown periods, March–May 2020 December 2020–March 2021, same time previous years (2014–2019). Compositional data analysis was number observations compared years. were, across all species, 80% lower than predicted. revealed proportionally fewer reports nocturnal mammals, urban visitors, mammals greater brain mass birds longer flight initiation distance. Species that several these traits, correspondingly significantly predicted included badgers Meles meles , foxes Vulpes vulpes pheasants, Phasianus colchicus ; we posit they stand benefit from traffic, and, studied here, highest under ‘normal’ levels. This study identifies experienced temporary reprieve anthropause, highlights impacts traffic‐induced numbers ultimately trait frequency road‐dominated landscape. By taking advantage reductions understand vehicles survival be exerting selective force for certain

Язык: Английский

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COVID-19 and transport safety

Transport Reviews, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 44(2), С. 518 - 543

Опубликована: Сен. 13, 2023

ABSTRACTTransportation safety has substantially been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. To contain spread of virus, governments around world released guidelines (e.g. stay-at-home orders), which reduced or eliminated peoples' daily commutes. These travel restrictions introduced new challenges for roadways and drivers, transit riders, pedestrians cyclists. Many cities, states, countries reported more severe crashes despite fewer drivers on road. Transit ridership as risk infection with kept users away, walking biking became popular they could be done individually in open air. This paper conducts a structured critical review to summarise discuss studies roadway, transit, pedestrian bicycle since start pandemic. For roadway safety, we further that examine direct measures crash statistics models) well indirect surrogate speeding, aggressive driving, seatbelt usage). Surrogate measures, although indirectly, can affect contribute increase frequency severity crashes. Findings are documented discussed. We then provide suggestions potential avenues future research. Particularly, research show rate injury crashes, driving speeding) increased most places during restrictions, continued even after these were lifted. The bicycles also become increasingly important due number modes.KEYWORDS: COVID-19roadway safetytransit safetyped/bike safetyspeedingaggressive AcknowledgementsThe authors gratefully acknowledge Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC) funding this content reflects view authors, does not necessarily reflect those TIDC program.Disclosure statementNo conflict interest was author(s).Additional informationFundingThis study funded Region 1 UTC, (TIDC).

Язык: Английский

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Can wildlife mortality on a local road tell something general? An answer from a protected area in south-western Romania

TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 48(1), С. 84 - 97

Опубликована: Янв. 4, 2024

Between June 2020 and May 2021, we studied the fauna road mortality on a recently asphalted local in protected area southwestern Romania (Iron Gates Natural Park–IGNP). Despite our expectation of reduced because very low traffic (3.97 cars/hour), numerous animals belonging to high number taxa were killed. Animals killed throughout entire year, even amphibians winter months, which normally should hibernate that period. Road differences between periods sectors obvious. Plant assemblages near influence composition intensity mortality. Diverse habitats have diverse plant richer fauna, are more affected by road. The highest was registered areas with assemblages. possibilities mitigation measures also discussed, all implying decrease touristic season, overlaps hot time.

Язык: Английский

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Ecology of Fear: Acclimation and Adaptations to Hunting by Humans

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(3), С. 1216 - 1216

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2024

Humans greatly influence the ecosystems they live in and lives of a wide range taxa share space with. Specifically, human hunting harvesting has resulted many species acclimating via diverse behavioral responses, often quite rapidly. This review provides insights into how can elicit changes. These responses emerge from species’ previous evolving ability to assess risk imposed by hunters respond accordingly; predator–prey game thus ensues, where both players may change tactics over time. If is persistent, does not result taxa’s extirpation, are expected develop adaptations cope with natural selection undergoing shifts morphology behavior. summarizes various ways that intentionally incidentally alters such evolutionary changes turn other interactions whole ecosystems. Additionally, alterations behaviors provide useful indicators for conservation evolutionarily enlightened management strategies, humans should use them gain our own socio-economic circumstances.

Язык: Английский

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Frequency and vehicle damage costs of wild pig-vehicle collisions in the United States, 2015–2022

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 70(3)

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2024

Язык: Английский

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The effect of COVID-19 movement restriction on Korean expressway wildlife−vehicle collisions

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 51, С. e02949 - e02949

Опубликована: Апрель 11, 2024

The construction of roads obstructs animal movement, which directly results in fatal wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs). Owing to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak 2020, movement restrictions were imposed by Korean government between February and March represented beginning pandemic. During this period, study examined effects reduced traffic volume on WVCs. selected Dangjin−Yeongdeok, Jungang, Jungbu Expressways as sites since they have highest occurrence WVCs Korea. sections these expressways with densities denoted WVC hotspots. We categorized period from 2020 'strict pandemic'. In addition, 2015–2019 was "pre-strict pandemic", April December classified "pandemic period". analyzed relationship for each designated As a result, there statistically significant differences volumes across all routes different periods. showed strong negative correlation during strict pandemic period. per positively correlated while it negatively pre-strict deceleration continued after out This shows that are strong, albeit temporary, reduction can help reduce WVC. Therefore, overall quantitative conclusion interaction serve valuable reference develop practical strategies preventing

Язык: Английский

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The New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Residential (NZBF-R): A Tool to Rapidly Score the Relative Biodiversity Value of Urban Residential Developments

Land, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 14(3), С. 526 - 526

Опубликована: Март 3, 2025

The loss of biodiversity in urban residential areas that are densifying response to increasing housing demand has serious implications for ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing. There is an urgent need integrating biodiversity-sensitive design into planning development. While several existing “Green Factor” tools guide greening strategies cities, none have as their primary focus. We describe here a tool specifically evaluates developments, with particular emphasis on supporting native biodiversity. NZBF-R (New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Residential) also educates users through embedded explanations how various features positively impact it provides tailored recommendations effective enhancement, enabling professionals make informed landscape decisions. Developed literature review, analyses Green Factor tools, robust weighting process, the identifies ranks characteristics support biodiversity, based evidence from scientific literature. demonstrate application one case study. can be applied across planning, design, retrofitting stages projects, making valuable resource planners designers.

Язык: Английский

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Wildlife road mortalities during COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown in south Texas: a comparative survey

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 13

Опубликована: Май 27, 2025

Mortalities of wildlife caused by collisions with vehicles along roads are increasing in prevalence, threatening the existence various species and populations. The COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding how vehicle mortality occurrences change response anthropogenic variables varying survey methods influence obtaining data. In this study, data were collected three observation periods: pre-lockdown (PreL), during (DL), post-lockdown (PostL) south Texas. There 194 mortalities recorded weeks 4–27 2020. Results study showed that road counts did not PreL, (i.e., DL), PostL. This also investigated number observers, key element surveys. We observed two observers detected more than one observer. Information on these novel findings would be useful future.

Язык: Английский

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