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Evaluating the effectiveness of road mitigation measures.

Title:

Evaluating the effectiveness of road mitigation measures.

van der Grift, Edgar A., van der Ree, Rodney, Fahrig, Lenore, Findlay, Scott, Houlahan, Jeff, Jaeger, Jochen A.G., Klar, Nina, Madrinan, L. Francisco and Olson, Leif (2013) Evaluating the effectiveness of road mitigation measures. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22 (2). pp. 425-448. ISSN 0960-3115 and 1572-9710

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Official URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10531-...

Abstract

The last 20 years have seen a dramatic increase in efforts to mitigate the negative effects of roads and traffic on wildlife, including fencing to prevent wildlife- vehicle collisions and wildlife crossing structures to facilitate landscape connectivity. While not necessarily explicitly articulated, the fundamental drivers behind road mitigation are human safety, animal welfare, and/or wildlife conservation. Concomitant with the increased effort to mitigate has been a focus on evaluating road mitigation. So far, research has mainly focussed on assessing the use of wildlife crossing structures, demonstrating that a broad range of species use them. However, this research has done little to address the question of the effectiveness of crossing structures, because use of a wildlife crossing structure does not necessarily equate to its effectiveness. The paucity of studies directly examining the effectiveness of crossing structures is exacerbated by the fact that such studies are often poorly designed, which limits the level of inference that can be made. Without well performed evaluations of the effectiveness of road mitigation measures, we may endanger the viability of wildlife populations and inefficiently use financial resources by installing structures that are not as effective as we think they are. In this paper we outline the essential elements of a good experimental design for such assessments and prioritize the parameters to be measured. The framework we propose will facilitate col- laboration between road agencies and scientists to undertake research programs that fully evaluate effectiveness of road mitigation measures. We discuss the added value of road mitigation evaluations for policy makers and transportation agencies and provide recom- mendations on how to incorporate such evaluations in road planning practices.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science
Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Authors:van der Grift, Edgar A. and van der Ree, Rodney and Fahrig, Lenore and Findlay, Scott and Houlahan, Jeff and Jaeger, Jochen A.G. and Klar, Nina and Madrinan, L. Francisco and Olson, Leif
Journal or Publication:Biodiversity and Conservation
Date:2013
Projects:
  • Road ecology workshop held at castle Geulzicht in The Netherlands
Funders:
  • Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Policy Support Research, BO-02-005 Spatial Quality National Ecological Network)
  • Ministry of Transport and Public Works
  • The Baker Foundation
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):10.1007/s10531-012-0421-0
Keywords:road ecology; mitigation measures; monitoring; wildlife; population viability; road mitigation; crossing structures; effectiveness; guidelines.
ID Code:980324
Deposited By: Jochen Jaeger
Deposited On:24 Aug 2015 14:54
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:51

References:

van der Grift, E.A., van der Ree, R., Fahrig, L., Findlay, C.S., Houlahan, J.E., Jaeger, J.A.G., Klar, N., Madriñan L.F., Olson, L. (2013): Evaluating the effectiveness of road mitigation measures. – Biodiversity and Conservation 22: 425-448. DOI 10.1007/s10531-012-0421-0.
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