There is growing pressure to build crossing structures that facilitate the movement of both people and wildlife across roads. In this chapter, we focus primarily on recreational co‐use of wildlife crossing structures, specifically hikers, runners, cyclists and horse riders. This pressure to install co‐use structures is most apparent in and around cities and towns and in recreational areas where trails are obstructed by roads. There is little knowledge to determine the appropriateness and design of such co‐use, but preliminary findings and information gleaned from other sources are instructive.
Wildlife crossing structures are expensive, and it is intuitively appealing that they function for wildlife and people.
Different species respond differently to human co‐use of wildlife crossing structures.
Simple design principles may enable co‐use by humans.
Carefully designed and executed studies are required to confidently determine the efficacy of co‐use structures.
It is clear that some species of wildlife, particularly those that readily survive or co‐inhabit areas with humans, appear capable of using wildlife crossing structures with high rates of co‐use by people. However, it is also evident that some species lower their rate or modify their timing of use of crossing structures which are also used by people. Consistent trends in the use of such crossing structures by wildlife are difficult to discern due to widely varying design, location and methods used in studies. Therefore, the widespread installation of co‐use crossing structures is not recommended until rigorous studies quantify the effects of recreational co‐use on wildlife behaviour and crossing rates.
Recreational Co‐Use of Wildlife Crossing Structures
Handbook of Road Ecology ; 184-189
2015-04-01
6 pages
Aufsatz/Kapitel (Buch)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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