Highways, crossing structures and risk: Behaviors of Greater Yellowstone pronghorn elucidate efficacy of road mitigation

Seidler, Renee G.; Green, David S.; Beckmann, Jon P.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00416

Cited by 27 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…We have also provided further evidence for the hypothesis that wild animals require time to adapt to WCS (Clevenger and Waltho 2000;Gagnon et al 2011;Seidler et al 2018). In our study, crossing frequency for almost all wild species, with the exception of red deer, grew gradually throughout 3 years of the monitoring.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…Results of other studies provide contradictory conclusions on responses of wildlife to human presence on WCS. In some areas, Table S8 for details presence of humans negatively affected the rate of crossings by some species (Ng et al 2004;Waltho 2000, 2005;Grilo et al 2008), while in other studies, there was lack of impact or the relationship was positive (Rodriquez et al 1997;Gloyne and Clevenger 2001;Mata et al 2005;Seidler et al 2018). It leads to the conclusion that responses of wild mammals to human presence at WCS are context dependent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Mammal use of wildlife crossing structures along a new motorway in an area recently recolonized by wolves

Mysłajek

Olkowska²,

Wronka-Tomulewicz³

et al. 2020

Eur J Wildl Res

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Wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) enhance connectivity between habitats of wild animals fragmented by fenced motorways, but factors affecting their use by targeted species remain understudied, particularly in areas recently recolonized by large carnivores. We investigated the use of WCS—6 overpasses (width 30-45m), 5 large underpasses (width 33–114 m) and 4 small underpasses (width 15–19 m)—located along the A4 motorway in the Lower Silesian Forest (western Poland), a large forest tract recently recolonised by wolves (Canis lupus). Identifying and counting tracks of mammals left on sand-beds as well as individuals recorded by camera traps were used to determine species diversity, number and activity patterns of mammals on WCS, and to reveal seasonal and temporal changes of WCS use over 3 years of study (2010–2013). WCSs were mostly used by wild species (51.5%), followed by humans (34.8%), livestock and pets (13.7%). Among wild species, ungulates were the most common (77.4% of crossings), while lagomorphs and carnivores were recorded less often (15% and 7.6% of crossings, respectively). The number of species and crossings of wild mammals, especially wild ungulates and wolves, was substantially higher on overpasses (mean effective number of species (Hill numbers): 0D = 7.8, 1D = 4.1 and 2D = 3.3) than on underpasses (0D = 6.3, 1D = 2.9 and 2D = 2.3) and was not affected by distance between WCS and human settlements or WCS width. There was a higher diversity of wild species and more crossings under large extended bridges than on smaller underpasses. The number of species and number of crossings of wild mammals, domestic animals and people increased from 2010 to 2013. There was a significant difference in activity patterns, with almost all wild species being nocturnal, in contrast to people and dogs. There was no relationship between crossing time and rates of wild carnivores and potential prey. We conclude that overpasses, even with steep entrance slopes (25–26.5%) or integrated with moderately used gravel roads, maintain movement of wild terrestrial mammals much better than underpasses, and the presence of wolves does not hamper the movement of other wild species. As there are significant temporal changes in use of WCS by mammals, we recommend monitoring WCS in all seasons for at least 3 years as a minimum standard for the post-investment assessment of WCS utilization by animals.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Mammal use of wildlife crossing structures along a new motorway in an area recently recolonized by wolves

Mysłajek

Olkowska²,

Wronka-Tomulewicz³

et al. 2020

Eur J Wildl Res

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“…Reducing disturbance to wildlife from human activities is important for lessening potential negative effects to wildlife (Northrup and Wittemyer 2013). Although mitigation measures to reduce disturbance can be effective when applied after development occurs (Seidler et al 2018), effective planning before development activities begin can reduce the need for future mitigation measures (Copeland et al 2009, Katzner et al 2012, Wilson et al 2013, Suzuki and Parker 2019. Failing to consider or account for the importance of an area to wildlife populations and how future industrial activities could affect those areas can potentially have significant population-level effects (Sawyer et al 2009, Beckmann et al 2012, Seidler et al 2015.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Seismic Survey Design and Effects on Maternal Polar Bear Dens

Wilson

Durner

2019

J Wildl Manag

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Large‐scale industrial activities can have negative effects on wildlife populations. Some of these effects, however, could be reduced with effective planning prior to development. The Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in northeastern Alaska, USA, is an important maternal denning area for polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Recent legislation has opened the area for potential oil and gas development. As a result, there is interest in conducting winter seismic surveys across the area that could disturb denning female polar bears and lead to decreased cub survival. We sought to demonstrate how different seismic survey designs, with and without aerial den detection surveys, could affect the level of potential effect on denning polar bears during spring (Feb–Apr). We developed 5 hypothetical seismic survey designs for a portion of the Coastal Plain ranging from no spatial or temporal restrictions on activities to explicit consideration of when and where operations can occur. We evaluated how many dens might be disturbed by seismic surveys and the average distance activity came within simulated polar bear dens. Survey design had a large effect on the estimated number of dens that could be disturbed; the scenario with the highest spatial and temporal specificity reduced the number of dens disturbed by >90% compared to the scenario with no restrictions on when and where activity could occur. The use of an aerial den detection survey prior to seismic activity further reduced the number of dens disturbed by 68% across all scenarios. The scenario with the highest spatial and temporal specificity always had the lowest level of disturbance for all scenarios with and without the aerial survey included. Our study suggests that large reductions in the probability of disturbance can occur through careful planning on the timing and distribution of proposed activities even when surveys are planned in areas with a high density of polar bear dens. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.

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“…Once at these modified sites they continue on their way and cross the fence, as seen by an increase in crossing probability at modified sites following our installation of the PVC pipe and reflectors. If modifications do attract ungulates at broad scales to the fence panel they are installed on, then further investigation is required to determine if these modifications can be used to attract ungulates to “wildlife‐friendly” enhanced fence panels or road crossing structures to facilitate easier crossing (Paige 2012, 2015; Seidler et al 2018). Consequently, substantial savings in terms of funds and time could be realized by landholders and conservation groups because entire fence lines may not need to be made “wildlife friendly” (i.e., double‐stranded smooth wire on the bottom at 46 cm).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Responses by Sympatric Ungulates to Fence Modifications Across the Northern Great Plains

et al. 2020

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Across North America, incentive programs have assisted landholders with the construction of fences, often considered “wildlife friendly,” to assist in grazing management, which has resulted in a proliferation of fencing on the landscape. Many suggested “wildlife‐friendly” fence modifications have not been evaluated for their effectiveness on the targeted species or evaluated to assess consequences for nontarget species. We evaluated the effects of 2 modifications aimed to increase fence visibility (sage‐grouse [SAGR] reflectors and white polyvinyl chloride [PVC]) on the fence‐crossing behavior of 3 sympatric ungulates in the Northern Great Plains. We used trail cameras from 2016 to 2018 to capture images of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and white‐tailed deer (O. virginianus) at sites before and after fence sections were modified and compared crossing success by the 3 ungulates with that achieved at unchanged control sites. We used generalized linear modeling and a time‐to‐event approach to test the effect of fence modifications on ungulate crossing behavior. Our results showed that both SAGR reflectors and white PVC pipe did not impede fence‐crossing behaviors for either pronghorn or deer, nor was there a time lag in use of sites observed after modifications were deployed. Though we did not alter the height of the bottom wire, there was enough variability in bottom wire height between sites that our results indicate a greater probability of successful crossing by all 3 ungulates as bottom wire height increased. We recommend implementation of both SAGR reflectors and white PVC pipe because our results demonstrate no substantial unintended consequences on the crossing behavior of pronghorn and deer. © 2020 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.

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Highways, crossing structures and risk: Behaviors of Greater Yellowstone pronghorn elucidate efficacy of road mitigation

Cited by 27 publications

References 29 publications

Mammal use of wildlife crossing structures along a new motorway in an area recently recolonized by wolves

Mammal use of wildlife crossing structures along a new motorway in an area recently recolonized by wolves

Seismic Survey Design and Effects on Maternal Polar Bear Dens

Evaluating Responses by Sympatric Ungulates to Fence Modifications Across the Northern Great Plains

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