Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya
Abstract Rail and road infrastructure is essential for economic growth and development but can cause a gradual loss in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem function and services. We assessed the influence of underpass dimensions, fencing, proximity to water and roads, Normalized Difference Vege...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2022-04-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09555-5 |
| _version_ | 1811272514191491072 |
|---|---|
| author | Fredrick Lala Patrick I. Chiyo Patrick Omondi Benson Okita-Ouma Erustus Kanga Michael Koskei Lydia Tiller Aaron W. Morris William J. Severud Joseph K. Bump |
| author_facet | Fredrick Lala Patrick I. Chiyo Patrick Omondi Benson Okita-Ouma Erustus Kanga Michael Koskei Lydia Tiller Aaron W. Morris William J. Severud Joseph K. Bump |
| author_sort | Fredrick Lala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Rail and road infrastructure is essential for economic growth and development but can cause a gradual loss in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem function and services. We assessed the influence of underpass dimensions, fencing, proximity to water and roads, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), presence of other species and livestock on underpass use by large and medium-sized mammals. Results revealed hyenas and leopards used the underpasses more than expected whereas giraffes and antelopes used the underpasses less than expected. Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed that underpass height influenced use by wildlife, with several species preferring to use taller underpasses. Electric fencing increased underpass use by funneling species towards underpasses, except for elephants and black-backed jackal for which it reduced underpass passage. We also found that the use of underpasses by livestock reduced the probability of use by nearly 50% for wildlife species. Carnivore species were more likely to cross underpasses used by their prey. Buffalo, livestock, and hyenas used underpasses characterized by vegetation with higher NDVI and near water sources while baboons, dik-diks and antelope avoided underpasses with high NDVI. Our findings suggest a need for diverse and comprehensive approaches for mitigating the negative impacts of rail on African wildlife. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:41:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c1c471c953d42af92ef3d42e710e725 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:41:42Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c1c471c953d42af92ef3d42e710e7252022-12-22T03:13:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-04-0112111410.1038/s41598-022-09555-5Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, KenyaFredrick Lala0Patrick I. Chiyo1Patrick Omondi2Benson Okita-Ouma3Erustus Kanga4Michael Koskei5Lydia Tiller6Aaron W. Morris7William J. Severud8Joseph K. Bump9Wildlife Research and Training InstituteDepartment of Biology, Duke UniversityWildlife Research and Training InstituteSave the ElephantsMinistry of Tourism and WildlifeSave the ElephantsSave the ElephantsUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaAbstract Rail and road infrastructure is essential for economic growth and development but can cause a gradual loss in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem function and services. We assessed the influence of underpass dimensions, fencing, proximity to water and roads, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), presence of other species and livestock on underpass use by large and medium-sized mammals. Results revealed hyenas and leopards used the underpasses more than expected whereas giraffes and antelopes used the underpasses less than expected. Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed that underpass height influenced use by wildlife, with several species preferring to use taller underpasses. Electric fencing increased underpass use by funneling species towards underpasses, except for elephants and black-backed jackal for which it reduced underpass passage. We also found that the use of underpasses by livestock reduced the probability of use by nearly 50% for wildlife species. Carnivore species were more likely to cross underpasses used by their prey. Buffalo, livestock, and hyenas used underpasses characterized by vegetation with higher NDVI and near water sources while baboons, dik-diks and antelope avoided underpasses with high NDVI. Our findings suggest a need for diverse and comprehensive approaches for mitigating the negative impacts of rail on African wildlife.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09555-5 |
| spellingShingle | Fredrick Lala Patrick I. Chiyo Patrick Omondi Benson Okita-Ouma Erustus Kanga Michael Koskei Lydia Tiller Aaron W. Morris William J. Severud Joseph K. Bump Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya Scientific Reports |
| title | Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya |
| title_full | Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya |
| title_short | Influence of infrastructure, ecology, and underpass-dimensions on multi-year use of Standard Gauge Railway underpasses by mammals in Tsavo, Kenya |
| title_sort | influence of infrastructure ecology and underpass dimensions on multi year use of standard gauge railway underpasses by mammals in tsavo kenya |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09555-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fredricklala influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT patrickichiyo influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT patrickomondi influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT bensonokitaouma influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT erustuskanga influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT michaelkoskei influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT lydiatiller influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT aaronwmorris influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT williamjseverud influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya AT josephkbump influenceofinfrastructureecologyandunderpassdimensionsonmultiyearuseofstandardgaugerailwayunderpassesbymammalsintsavokenya |