Predicting Hot Spots of Herpetofauna Road Mortality Along Highway Networks

Abstract

Road mortality is often spatially aggregated, and there is a need for models that accurately and efficiently predict hot spots within a road network for mitigation. We surveyed 145 points throughout a 353‐km highway network in New York State, USA, for roadkill of reptiles and amphibians. We used land cover, wetland configuration, and traffic volume data to identify features that best predicted hot spots of herpetofauna road mortality. We resampled 40 points an additional 4 times over 4 years to evaluate temporal repeatability. Both amphibian and reptile road mortality were spatially clustered, and road‐kill hot spots of the 2 taxa overlapped. One survey provided a valid snapshot of spatial patterns of road mortality, and spatial patterns remained stable across time. Road‐kill hot spots were located where wetlands approached within 100 m of the road, and the best predictor was a causeway configuration of wetlands (wetlands on both sides of the road). We validated causeways as predictors of road mortality by surveying 180 causeways and 180 random points across 5 regions (17,823 km2) of northeastern New York. Causeways were 3 times more likely than random locations to have amphibian and 12 times more likely to have reptile mortality present, and causeways had a 4 times higher total number of amphibian roadkill and 9 times higher reptile roadkill than did random points. We conclude it is possible to identify valid predictors of hot spots of amphibian and reptile road mortality for use when planning roads or when conducting surveys on existing roads to locate priority areas for mitigation.

Using risk prediction models and species sensitivity maps for large-scale identification of infrastructure-related wildlife protection areas: The case of bird electrocution

“…Although fiscal and economic constraints during specific time periods may limit implementation of ideal conservation actions, managers and government officials should find mechanisms to use available resources for the best possible end results (Naidoo et al, 2006). Finally, the systematic selection process proposed herein can potentially be applied to other types of impacts from human infrastructure on wildlife, e.g., to aid the planning and management of wind farms or roads (Langen et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2013). However, these applications will depend on increasing availability of mortality data over large regions that allow the construction of reliable risk models.…”

“…However, systematic area-selection processes have seldom been used to locate high-risk mortality areas to protect wildlife from human impacts, such as roads, wind farms, or bird electrocutions on power lines (e.g. Malo et al, 2004;Langen et al, 2009;Carrete et al, 2012;Santos et al, 2013). The implementation of systematic area-selection processes combining spatial risk models of wildlife mortality at a large spatial scale with data on presence or abundance of species sensitive to such an impact would help to optimize mitigation of widespread human infrastructure impacts, especially those affecting a large number of species.…”

Terrestrial habitat requirements of nesting freshwater turtles

“…Where roads intersect turtle migration routes and result in high mortality, barrier walls in association with culverts facilitate safe turtle movements (Aresco, 2005b;Dodd et al, 2004). Although retroactive changes in roads have lowered turtle mortality rates, they are expensive and there may be species-specific preferences regarding appropriate culvert type and placement (e.g., Langen et al, 2009;Woltz et al, 2008). More cost-effective measures include incorporating landscape-scale ecological requirements of resident flora and fauna into initial development plans.…”

Understanding Snake Bite Cases Pattern Related to Volcano-Seismic Activity: An Evidence in Bondowoso, Indonesia

“…More than 100 m 2 vegetation was enough to become a hotspot for snakes existance [24]. White-lipped Pitviper has haemotoxic venom and its bites cause some symptoms that recorded on most of SBC in 2015.…”