Do Roads Alter the Trophic Behavior of the Mesocarnivore Community Living Close to Them?

Ruiz-Capillas, Pablo; Mata, Cristina; Fernández, Beatriz Ruiz; Fernandes, Carlos; Malo, Juan E.

doi:10.3390/d13040173

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(85 reference statements)

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“…Ruiz‐Capillas et al . (2021) found that carnivore scats near a road included 10–20% more biomass from small mammals, likely related to increased numbers of micromammals along road verges (see Section III.1. a ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fourth, roads can result in dietary modifications. Ruiz-Capillas et al (2021) found that carnivore scats near a road included 10-20% more biomass from small mammals, likely related to increased numbers of micromammals along road verges (see Section III.1.a). Fifth, road proximity may force small mammals to reduce their time spent foraging (Giordano, Hunninck & Sheriff, 2022) in response to the increased predation risk perceived due to the proximity of the road (Gonzalez-Olimon, St Juliana & Sparks, 2016).…”

Section: (B) Effects On Nest Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interspecific interactions disrupted by roads

Quiles,

Barrientos

2024

Biological Reviews

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Roads have pervasive impacts on wildlife, including habitat loss and fragmentation, road mortality, habitat pollution and increased human use of habitats surrounding them. However, the effects of roads on interspecific interactions are less understood. Here we provide a synthesis of the existing literature on how species interactions may be disrupted by roads, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest avenues for future research and conservation management. We conducted a systematic search using the Web of Science database for each species interaction (predation, competition, mutualism, parasitism, commensalism and amensalism). These searches yielded 2144 articles, of which 195 were relevant to our topic. Most of these studies focused on predation (50%) or competition (24%), and less frequently on mutualism (17%) or, parasitism (9%). We found no studies on commensalism or amensalism. Studies were biased towards mammals from high‐income countries, with most conducted in the USA (34%) or Canada (18%). Our literature review identified several patterns. First, roads disrupt predator–prey relationships, usually with negative impacts on prey populations. Second, new disturbed habitats created in road corridors often benefit more competitive species, such as invasive species, although some native or endangered species can also thrive there. Third, roads degrade mutualistic interactions like seed dispersal and pollination. Fourth, roads can increase parasitism rates, although the intensity of the alteration is species specific. To reduce the negative impacts of roads on interspecific interactions, we suggest the following management actions: (i) verges should be as wide and heterogenous as possible, as this increases microhabitat diversity, thus enhancing ecosystem services like pollination and seed dispersal; (ii) combining different mowing regimes can increase the complexity of the habitat corridor, enabling it to act as a habitat for more species; (iii) the use of de‐icing salts should be gradually reduced and replaced with less harmful products or maintenance practices; (iv) wildlife passes should be implemented in groups to reduce animal concentrations inside them; (v) periodic removal of carcasses from the road to reduce the use of this resource by wildlife; and (vi) implementation of traffic‐calming schemes could enhance interspecific interactions like pollination and avoid disruption of predator–prey relationships.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (B) Effects On Nest Predationmentioning

confidence: 99%