Overpasses and underpasses: Effectiveness of crossing structures for migratory ungulates
Overpasses and underpasses: Effectiveness of crossing structures for migratory ungulates
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立交桥和地下通道：穿越结构对迁徙有蹄类动物的有效性
DOI：
10.1002/jwmg.21132
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发表时间：
2016
影响因子：
2.3
通讯作者：
Tony Wasley
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Nova Simpson;K. Stewart;Cody Schroeder;Mike Cox;Kari K. Huebner;Tony Wasley
保持迁徙通道是保护生物多样性的一个基本组成部分，对于长距离迁徙的陆生物种尤其关键。公路和州际高速公路使通道碎片化，并且常常导致陆生物种在与车辆碰撞时死亡率增加。野生动物通道结构在多种生态系统中是一种重要工具，能让野生动物安全地穿越道路。事实上，在欧洲通道结构已被广泛使用，在北美其使用频率也在不断增加，目的是为众多物种重新连接碎片化的栖息地。然而，很少有项目同时记录对彼此靠近的多种结构类型的反应。我们以骡鹿（一种广泛分布于北美西部不同生物区域的物种）为研究对象，来验证关于两种不同类型的有蹄类动物通道结构有效性的假设。我们记录了骡鹿的行为反应以及对天桥和地下通道的使用情况。我们评估成功的指标包括通过率以及通过每种结构的动物数量。骡鹿在通道结构建成后立即就开始使用，尽管所有的通道结构都被使用，但我们观察到天桥的通过率比地下通道高。野生动物通道结构通过允许动物安全穿越美国93号公路，减少了栖息地碎片化，增强了连通性。更重要的是，这些结构成功地使大量骡鹿远离公路，使美国93号公路对野生动物和驾车者都更加安全。© 2016野生动物学会
Maintenance of movement corridors is a fundamental component of the conservation of biological diversity, and is especially critical for terrestrial species that migrate extended distances. Highways and interstate freeways fragment corridors and often result in increased mortality of terrestrial migrants from collisions with vehicles. Wildlife crossing structures are an important tool in multiple ecosystems to allow safe passage for wildlife across roadways. Indeed, crossing structures have been used extensively in Europe and with increasing frequency in North America to reconnect fragmented habitats for numerous species. Few projects, however, have documented responses to >1 structure type simultaneously that are close to one another. We used mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), a widespread species across diverse bioregions in western North America, to test hypotheses about efficacy of 2 different types of crossing structures for ungulates. We documented behavioral responses and use of overpasses and underpasses by mule deer. Our metrics to evaluate success included passage rates and the number of animals that crossed each structure. Crossing structures were used by mule deer immediately following construction and although all of the crossing structures were used, we observed greater passage rates at overpasses than underpasses. Wildlife crossing structures reduced habitat fragmentation and enhanced connectivity by allowing safe passage across US 93. More importantly, those structures succeeded in removing a large number of mule deer from the roadway making US 93 safer for wildlife and motorists. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.