Research
Making scientific research accessible
Here you’ll find easy-to-read summaries of scientifically rigorous, evidence-based and peer-reviewed publications from around the world to help you better plan, build and manage ecologically sustainable linear infrastructure.
Research summaries are listed chronologically according to when they were published here. To find information on a specific topic, please use the SEARCH function and search by keywords, including topic, species, location and/or author.
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In search of the ideal underpass for wild animals
Designing crossing structures for wildlife underneath roads is a challenge because species may respond differently to factors such as nearby habitat or crossing-structure dimensions. Here we show that large, open crossing structures along natural travel corridors accommodate the highest diversity of large and medium-sized mammals.
Priority regions and species to study and protect from road impacts in Latin America
We identified key areas and species that should be prioritized for conservation and research related to road impacts. In Latin America, vultures, armadillos, cuckoos and shrew opossums need protection, and Central America and northern South America are the regions with the greatest need for research.
More than 10,000 tons of wild mammals are killed on Brazilian roads yearly: Assessing the impacts and conservation implications of wildlife-vehicle collisions
Nearly 9 million medium- and large-sized mammals (>1kg) could be killed on Brazilian roads each year, representing an estimated wildlife biomass of over 10,000 tons. Mortality from roads is a major threat to wildlife conservation in Brazil, and further research and mitigation is urgently needed to avoid species extinction.
Barriers to fauna-sensitive road design and how we can overcome them
Our recent survey of the transport planning and policy literature revealed substantial barriers that obstruct the consideration and implementation of fauna-sensitive road design (FSRD). Although the review identified several ecological support tools that could be useful to transport practitioners, these are of limited use without ‘action-oriented’ research to support their adoption and application of FSRD more broadly.
Roadkill: vehicle collisions may be threatening the survival of some mammal populations
Mammal roadkill can negatively affect wildlife populations but exactly how it does so remains unclear. This study reviewed globally published studies to examine how roadkill affects populations.
A cost-effective approach to incorporate landscape connectivity in Environmental Impact Assessments
We present a simple framework for a landscape level approach to identify species road crossing needs and priority sites for implementation. Our approach permits pro-active, scenario-based planning for wildlife friendlier roads that can easily be incorporated into EIAs.
Improving the design of road ecology research
Our recent survey of the literature revealed a need for significant improvement in how road ecology studies should be designed and conducted if we are to achieve real-world impact beyond the research. We developed a framework that aims to assist road ecologists and transport practitioners in conducting research that will make meaningful contributions to the evolution of the field and have real-world applications.