The tropics cover 40% of the Earth but support most of the world's biodiversity in terms of numbers of species, endemism and global hotspots. More than 49% of the Earth's terrestrial species are contained within the 7% of the Earth's land surface covered by tropical rainforests. However tropical drier forests, savannahs and wetlands also rank comparatively high in biodiversity. The construction and operation of roads in tropical areas can result in particularly severe ecological impacts, nevertheless many of the roads currently planned or under construction are found in remote tropical regions.
The tropical rainforest biota is especially vulnerable to environmental impacts of roads due to specialisations and diversity.
Edge effects, barrier effects and weed growth are particularly severe in tropical rainforests because the unique stable forest microclimate contrasts with the extreme conditions in cleared roadways.
Tropical animals are extremely vulnerable to hunting and roadkill when roads create access into remote areas.
Natural catastrophes and environmental conditions associated with tropical ecosystems exacerbate road impacts.
Narrow and unpaved roads with continuous canopy cover are preferred over the greater impact caused by wide and paved roads in tropical rainforest.
Tropical roads often are located in developing nations aiming to improve their economies and standard of living by opening frontiers of previously undeveloped lands.
Where it is impossible to avoid undisturbed regions and sensitive habitats, sensitive tropical areas should either be protected before road construction or access should be restricted.
Mitigation of tropical road impacts at the roadway scale can be achieved by maintaining canopy connectivity, minimising road width and restricting logging roads to low‐impact areas.
Due to the extreme environmental conditions that often occur in tropical areas and the sensitivity of many tropical ecosystems, avoiding sensitive and undisturbed areas is the best strategy for preventing road impacts. Due to the engineering challenges involved, avoiding such areas may also prove the least expensive option.
Tropical Ecosystem Vulnerability and Climatic Conditions
Particular Challenges for Road Planning, Construction and Maintenance
Handbook of Road Ecology ; 397-406
2015-04-01
10 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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