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Evaluating tramway infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem services
Dawid Moroń1, Michał Beim2, Agnieszka Gudowska3
1Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland. dawidmoron@protonmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|April 24, 2024
Summary
Research on tramway-wildlife interactions is scarce. Integrating green infrastructure into tramways offers potential for urban biodiversity and sustainable land-sharing in city planning.
Area of Science:
- Urban ecology
- Transportation ecology
- Conservation biology
Background:
- Tramways are promoted for lower environmental impact compared to roads.
- Ecological effects of tramways and infrastructure on biodiversity are understudied.
- Limited research exists on tramway-wildlife interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the scarcity of research on tramway-wildlife interactions.
- To explore the potential of tramways as platforms for urban biodiversity enhancement.
- To advocate for the investigation and application of green infrastructure in tramway development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of tramway-wildlife interaction studies.
- Analysis of potential ecological impacts of tramway infrastructure.
- Exploration of green infrastructure integration in urban planning.
Main Results:
- Fewer than 10 papers were found on tramway-wildlife interactions.
- This research area is significantly underrepresented compared to other transport modes.
- Tramways with green infrastructure (e.g., vegetation on tracks/roofs) show potential for land-sharing.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical knowledge gap regarding tramway impacts on biodiversity.
- Tramways present opportunities for sustainable urban planning and biodiversity conservation.
- Further research and implementation of green tramway practices are essential given their increasing global popularity.
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