Individual spatial responses towards roads: implications for mortality risk.

Area of Science:

• Wildlife ecology
• Conservation biology
• Road ecology

Background:

• Roads pose significant ecological challenges, including mortality and habitat fragmentation.
• Mitigation strategies often focus on road mortality and barrier effects.
• Understanding fine-scale spatial responses to roads is crucial for effective wildlife conservation planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how highways and traffic intensity influence the spatial behavior of barn owls (Tyto alba) and stone martens (Martes foina).
• To determine factors influencing habitat selection and movement patterns near roads.
• To identify characteristics associated with wildlife crossing events and road-kills.

Main Methods:

• Radio-tracking of barn owls and stone martens to study their spatial behavior.
• Analysis of home-range size and location in relation to highways.
• Assessment of road-related features influencing habitat selection and movement.

Main Results:

• Barn owls and stone martens may not avoid highways and can incorporate them into their home ranges if suitable habitat is present.
• Both species avoided high-traffic areas but were attracted to highways near streams or with suitable verge habitats.
• Barn owls preferred crossing above-grade highway sections, while stone martens avoided leveled sections.

Conclusions:

• Road mortality is a primary threat to barn owl and stone marten populations.
• Reducing attraction sources and increasing road permeability can lower road mortality risk.
• Fine-scale movement data informs strategies for safer wildlife crossings and improved road planning.