Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators
Abstract The global expansion of road networks threatens apex predator conservation and ecosystem functioning. This occurs through wildlife-vehicle collisions, habitat loss and fragmentation, reduced genetic connectivity and increased poaching. We reviewed road impacts on 36 apex predator species an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05294-9 |
| _version_ | 1818501513908060160 |
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| author | Itxaso Quintana Edgar F. Cifuentes Jeffrey A. Dunnink María Ariza Daniela Martínez-Medina Felipe M. Fantacini Bibek R. Shrestha Freddie-Jeanne Richard |
| author_facet | Itxaso Quintana Edgar F. Cifuentes Jeffrey A. Dunnink María Ariza Daniela Martínez-Medina Felipe M. Fantacini Bibek R. Shrestha Freddie-Jeanne Richard |
| author_sort | Itxaso Quintana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The global expansion of road networks threatens apex predator conservation and ecosystem functioning. This occurs through wildlife-vehicle collisions, habitat loss and fragmentation, reduced genetic connectivity and increased poaching. We reviewed road impacts on 36 apex predator species and assessed their risk from current roads based on road exposure and species vulnerability. Our findings reveal all apex predators are exposed to road impacts. Eight of the ten species with the highest risk occur in Asia, although other high-risk species are present in the Americas, Africa and Europe. The sloth bear suffers the highest risk of all apex predators, followed by the tiger and dhole. Based on species risk from roads, we propose a widely applicable method to assess the potential impact of future roads on apex predators. We applied this method to proposed road developments in three areas: the Brazilian Amazon, Africa, and Nepal, to locate high-impact road segments. Roughly 500 protected areas will be intersected by these roads, threatening core apex predator habitats. We advocate the need for rigorous road development planning to apply effective mitigation measures as an urgent priority and to avoid construction in wilderness areas and predator strongholds. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T20:57:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d74c7aaf570d4d2eb4a5ea003a95fc9b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T20:57:16Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-d74c7aaf570d4d2eb4a5ea003a95fc9b2022-12-22T01:33:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-02-0112111210.1038/s41598-022-05294-9Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predatorsItxaso Quintana0Edgar F. Cifuentes1Jeffrey A. Dunnink2María Ariza3Daniela Martínez-Medina4Felipe M. Fantacini5Bibek R. Shrestha6Freddie-Jeanne Richard7Département de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersDépartement de Biologie des Organismes et des Populations, Université de PoitiersAbstract The global expansion of road networks threatens apex predator conservation and ecosystem functioning. This occurs through wildlife-vehicle collisions, habitat loss and fragmentation, reduced genetic connectivity and increased poaching. We reviewed road impacts on 36 apex predator species and assessed their risk from current roads based on road exposure and species vulnerability. Our findings reveal all apex predators are exposed to road impacts. Eight of the ten species with the highest risk occur in Asia, although other high-risk species are present in the Americas, Africa and Europe. The sloth bear suffers the highest risk of all apex predators, followed by the tiger and dhole. Based on species risk from roads, we propose a widely applicable method to assess the potential impact of future roads on apex predators. We applied this method to proposed road developments in three areas: the Brazilian Amazon, Africa, and Nepal, to locate high-impact road segments. Roughly 500 protected areas will be intersected by these roads, threatening core apex predator habitats. We advocate the need for rigorous road development planning to apply effective mitigation measures as an urgent priority and to avoid construction in wilderness areas and predator strongholds.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05294-9 |
| spellingShingle | Itxaso Quintana Edgar F. Cifuentes Jeffrey A. Dunnink María Ariza Daniela Martínez-Medina Felipe M. Fantacini Bibek R. Shrestha Freddie-Jeanne Richard Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators Scientific Reports |
| title | Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators |
| title_full | Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators |
| title_fullStr | Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators |
| title_short | Severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators |
| title_sort | severe conservation risks of roads on apex predators |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05294-9 |
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