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Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators.
Itxaso Quintana1,2, Edgar F Cifuentes3,4,5, Jeffrey A Dunnink6,7
1Département de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France. itxasoqg@hotmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|February 22, 2022
Summary
Road expansion imperils apex predators globally through habitat loss and collisions. Asia
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Wildlife Management
Background:
- Global road networks are expanding, posing significant threats to apex predator populations.
- These threats include wildlife-vehicle collisions, habitat fragmentation, reduced genetic diversity, and increased poaching.
- Apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem functioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current risk posed by roads to 36 apex predator species worldwide.
- To develop and apply a method for evaluating the potential impact of future road developments on apex predators.
- To identify high-risk road segments and protected areas threatened by proposed infrastructure.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of road impacts on 36 apex predator species.
- Risk assessment based on road exposure and species vulnerability.
- Application of a predictive method to proposed road developments in the Brazilian Amazon, Africa, and Nepal.
Main Results:
- All assessed apex predators are exposed to road impacts.
- Eight of the ten highest-risk species are found in Asia, with sloth bears, tigers, and dholes facing the greatest threats.
- Proposed roads are projected to intersect approximately 500 protected areas, endangering critical apex predator habitats.
Conclusions:
- Urgent need for rigorous road development planning and effective mitigation strategies.
- Avoidance of road construction in wilderness areas and apex predator strongholds is critical.
- Proactive measures are essential to conserve apex predators and ecosystem integrity in the face of infrastructure expansion.
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