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Mitigation Measures for Highway Impacts to Wildlife

Mitigation Measures for Highway Impacts to Wildlife. Amanda Hardy ahardy@coe.montana.edu * modified by Sandra Jacobson for Innovative Approaches to Wildlife and Highway Interactions Shortcourse NCTC 2008. Identify the Problem. Mortality Loss of habitat connectivity

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Mitigation Measures for Highway Impacts to Wildlife

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  1. Mitigation Measures for Highway Impacts to Wildlife Amanda Hardy ahardy@coe.montana.edu *modified by Sandra Jacobson for Innovative Approaches to Wildlife and Highway Interactions Shortcourse NCTC 2008

  2. Identify the Problem • Mortality • Loss of habitat connectivity • Daily or seasonal habitat needs • Genetic diversity • Loss of habitat • Pollution impacts • Disturbance • Associated Linear Infrastructure • Invasive species

  3. Mitigation Triggers • Safety concerns • Sensitive or endangered species • Low population survival probability • Mass mortality • Public interest

  4. Ways to define what “works” • “Effectiveness” may be defined as: • Reduced animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) • Number of crossings by target species • Adequate number of crossings (how many?) • Connectivity maintained to sustain populations, communities, ecosystem functions • Measures of effectiveness may be: • Specific goals (e.g. 50% reduction in AVCs, cost-benefit ratio threshold >1)

  5. Effective Mitigation Measures • Most effective for reducing mortality and maintaining habitat permeability is a combination of fencing, crossing structure and escape structure • Banff: • Ungulate-vehicle collisions reduced by 96% • All animal-vehicle collisions by 80% • Wildlife use of crossings increases over time

  6. More Information Needed to Determine Effectiveness • Herd reductions • Roadside clearing • Signs • Education • At-grade crossings • In-vehicle warning systems • Crossing structures for some objectives such as genetic diversity or for low mobility species

  7. Methods with Limited Demonstrated ‘Effectiveness’ • Lighting • Intercept feeding • Repellents

  8. Ineffective Methods • Reflectors • Deer whistles • Flagging signs

  9. Ecosystems are dynamic and constantly changing How mitigation performs over the long-term depends on accommodating changes in: Wildlife distributions, abundance and behaviors; Global warming effects; Climate change

  10. General Mitigation Approaches • Avoid roading good habitat • “Ausbau über Neubau!” • Reduce (over-) populations • Modify • Driver behavior • Animal behavior

  11. Modifying Driver Behavior • Signs: standard, enhanced, limited use (seasonal), real-time detection/warning activation • Reduced speed limits • In-vehicle warnings • Increased visibility • Education

  12. Modifying Animal Behavior • Two approaches: • Sensory & physical control

  13. Modifying Animal Behavior • Sensory control • Reflectors • Flagging • Whistles • Repellents • Intercept feeding • Road salt alternatives

  14. Modifying Animal Behavior Physical control • Fencing with: • Under- & overpasses • At-grade crossings Photos: Anthony Clevenger

  15. Steeper than necessary cut slopes “Elk rock” @ $45 per linear foot

  16. Florida • Tonto NF, AZ • Banff • Banff NP, Canada Photos: Anthony Clevenger

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