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Goldingay RL, Rohweder D, Taylor BD, Parkyn JL. Use of road underpasses by mammals and a monitor lizard in eastern Australia and consideration of the prey-trap hypothesis. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9075. [PMID: 35813912 PMCID: PMC9254676 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Road networks continue to expand globally with predictable effects on ecological systems. Research into the effectiveness of road underpasses and overpasses for wildlife has been concentrated in North America and Europe. In Australia, most studies of underpasses have been of relatively short duration and without reference sites to give context to the measured rates of use. We studied 5-7 road underpasses at two locations in eastern Australia over 2-3 years, comparing camera trap detections of animals in underpasses with those at nearby forest sites. Three species of large macropod (wallabies and kangaroos) were frequently detected in the underpasses, with some underpasses traversed 1-4 times per week, and in many cases exceeded detections in the forest. The lace monitor (Varanus varius) was detected in all underpasses, often once per week during spring and summer, and infrequently in the forest. At each location, a different small macropod species, including one regionally threatened, showed a higher probability of detection in one underpass compared with several of the forest sites. The vulnerable koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) was detected infrequently in underpasses and in the adjoining forest. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) had a high probability of detection in a single underpass. The "prey-trap hypothesis" postulates that predators will exhibit increased activity at underpasses as a consequence of prey being funneled. We found the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) had high activity in some underpasses. However, its activity coincided less than expected with the activity of the mammals most at risk to it. Our results provide no consistent support for the "prey-trap hypothesis." Instead, our study confirms the generic value of underpasses for a range of medium-large mammals as well as one large reptile. Habitat adjoining underpasses exert a strong influence on their use and require greater consideration to maximize underpass use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross L. Goldingay
- Faculty of ScienceSouthern Cross UniversityLismoreNew South WalesAustralia
| | - David Rohweder
- Sandpiper Ecological Surveys Pty LtdAlstonvilleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Brendan D. Taylor
- Faculty of ScienceSouthern Cross UniversityLismoreNew South WalesAustralia
- Sandpiper Ecological Surveys Pty LtdAlstonvilleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jonathan L. Parkyn
- Faculty of ScienceSouthern Cross UniversityLismoreNew South WalesAustralia
- Present address:
Jonathan L. Parkyn, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and EnvironmentAustralia
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Lala F, Chiyo PI, Omondi P, Okita-Ouma B, Kanga E, Koskei M, Tiller L, Morris AW, Severud WJ, Bump JK. Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5698. [PMID: 35383206 PMCID: PMC8983743 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09555-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rail and road infrastructure is essential for economic growth and development but can cause a gradual loss in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem function and services. We assessed the influence of underpass dimensions, fencing, proximity to water and roads, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), presence of other species and livestock on underpass use by large and medium-sized mammals. Results revealed hyenas and leopards used the underpasses more than expected whereas giraffes and antelopes used the underpasses less than expected. Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed that underpass height influenced use by wildlife, with several species preferring to use taller underpasses. Electric fencing increased underpass use by funneling species towards underpasses, except for elephants and black-backed jackal for which it reduced underpass passage. We also found that the use of underpasses by livestock reduced the probability of use by nearly 50% for wildlife species. Carnivore species were more likely to cross underpasses used by their prey. Buffalo, livestock, and hyenas used underpasses characterized by vegetation with higher NDVI and near water sources while baboons, dik-diks and antelope avoided underpasses with high NDVI. Our findings suggest a need for diverse and comprehensive approaches for mitigating the negative impacts of rail on African wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick Lala
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute, P.O. Box 842-20117, Naivasha, Kenya. .,University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108-6074, USA.
| | - Patrick I Chiyo
- Department of Biology, Duke University, P.O. Box 90338, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Patrick Omondi
- Wildlife Research and Training Institute, P.O. Box 842-20117, Naivasha, Kenya
| | | | - Erustus Kanga
- Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, P. O. Box 41394, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Michael Koskei
- Save the Elephants, P.O. Box 54667, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Lydia Tiller
- Save the Elephants, P.O. Box 54667, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Aaron W Morris
- University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108-6074, USA
| | - William J Severud
- University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108-6074, USA
| | - Joseph K Bump
- University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108-6074, USA
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AZEDO R, ILHÉU A, SANTOS S, VAZ PG. Carnivores cross irrigation canals more often through overpasses than through culverts. Basic Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Plaschke M, Bhardwaj M, König HJ, Wenz E, Dobiáš K, Ford AT. Green bridges in a re‐colonizing landscape: Wolves (
Canis lupus
) in Brandenburg, Germany. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mike Plaschke
- Junior Research Group Human‐Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
| | - Manisha Bhardwaj
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Hannes J. König
- Junior Research Group Human‐Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
| | - Elena Wenz
- Junior Research Group Human‐Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg Germany
| | - Kornelia Dobiáš
- Landeskompetenzzentrum Forst Eberswalde (LFE) Eberswalde Germany
| | - Adam T. Ford
- Department of Biology The University of British Columbia (UBC) Kelowna Canada
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