From fences to roads: changes in barrier behaviour of Mongolian gazelle across different types of linear...

Poorly designed linear infrastructure can reduce habitat connectivity and be major barriers for migratory wildlife. An important start at effective mitigation is understanding how individuals respond when barriers are encountered. This can be done via comparison of fine- and broad-scale behavioural responses to various anthropogenic barrier types. We classified fine-scale responses of 62 Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosa) across different barrier types, seasons and times of day. We also investigated interactions at a broader scale by measuring the length of linear infrastructure traced, interaction duration and crossing success rate. We learned that gazelle behaviour varied according to barrier permeability, and that fences were major obstacles. Gazelles exhibited similar bouncing behaviour when confronted with paved roads as with fences, suggesting paved roads can act as semi-permeable barriers during high traffic volume. Broad-scale movement patterns revealed gazelles travelled considerable distances along fences-averaging 40.2 km, and up to 211.6 km-before moving away or crossing. Long-distance tracing movements can help identify areas with the strongest barrier effect and guide mitigation measures for current and future linear infrastructure. Designing infrastructure and implementing conservation strategies for ungulates in steppe ecosystems will benefit from taking into account behavioural responses at both fine and broad scales.