Green bridges in a re‐colonizing landscape: Wolves (Canis lupus) in Brandenburg, Germany

Abstract

Gray wolves (Canis lupus) are recolonizing many parts of central Europe and are a key part of international conservation directives. However, roads may hinder the reestablishment of gray wolves throughout their historic range by reducing landscape connectivity and increasing mortality from wildlife‐vehicle collisions. The impact of roads on wolves might be mitigated by the construction of green bridges (i.e., large vegetated overpasses, designed to accommodate the movement of wildlife over transportation corridors). In this study, we investigated the seasonal and diurnal use of a green bridge by wolves and three of their main prey species: red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa). We found that all four species used the green bridge. Wolves were most active in winter, whereas prey species were most active in spring and summer. All species were more active at dusk and during the night than at dawn and during the day. We found no evidence that wolf presence influenced bridge‐use by prey species, consistent with other tests of the prey‐trap hypothesis. Our results suggest that green bridges are used by wolves and prey species alike, and may foster connectivity and recolonization for these species in rewilding landscapes.

Large-Scale Sheep Losses to Wolves (Canis lupus) in Germany Are Related to the Expansion of the Wolf Population but Not to Increasing Wolf Numbers

“…Currently, only the city-states of Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen, and the smallest state of Saarland, do not have resident wolves. Wolf numbers in the country grow exponentially, on average by 28% per year, due to population expansion fostered by high mobility, reproductive potential and adaptability of wolves, prey abundance, and the presence of suitable corridors and stepping stones (Reinhardt and Kluth, 2016;Reinhardt et al, 2019Reinhardt et al, , 2021Plaschke et al, 2021). Therefore, it is not surprising that increasing losses of domestic livestock and farmed game species are associated with increasing wolf numbers.…”

Are several small wildlife crossing structures better than a single large? Arguments from the perspective of large wildlife conservation

“…Hunting in the direct vicinity of over-or underpasses occurs in Sweden (own observations), but how frequent this happens is not known. Incidents of natural predation on ungulates near wildlife crossing structures have been reported, but appear to be rare (Little et al 2002;Plaschke et al 2021). Yet, only the presence of ambushing predators or hunters in the area may temporarily inhibit the structure´s effectiveness for target species (Mata et al 2015).…”

De wolf terug in Nederland : Een factfinding study

“…Onderzoek heeft ook laten zien dat wolven zowel faunatunnels als natuurbruggen gebruiken (Clevenger, 1998;Clevenger & Waltho, 2000;Mysłajek et al, 2013;Mysłajek et al, 2020;Plaschke et al, 2021). Clevenger & Waltho (2000) stelden vast dat de mate van menselijke activiteit rond een faunatunnel en de openheid en lengte van een faunatunnel de beste voorspellers zijn van het gebruik van dergelijke faunapassages door wolven.…”