Abstract

The area affected by Highway 175 has been identified as an important connectivity zone for wildlife populations in the region, linking natural and semi-natural habitats east and west of the highway. As this is the first time that designated wildlife passages for small and medium-sized fauna have been constructed in Québec, there is an urgent need to evaluate their ability to improve connectivity for wildlife. This information is important for helping future road management implement wildlife passages along new highways and existing highways in Québec, in particular in the more fragmented southern forests of Québec. This research project will assess whether the wildlife passageways are effective in reducing the environmental impacts of the highway on medium-sized and small mammals. It will evaluate how well the performance objectives of the fences and passageways have been met and whether adaptive management is needed.