Lethal Effects of Roads on Large Carnivores

Résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Roads pose a serious threat to large carnivores by restricting habitat, reducing genetic connectivity, and causing direct mortalities of individuals. Road development is expanding worldwide, with most of the expected increase occurring in the Global South. In this formal literature review, we examine the lethal effects of roads on terrestrial large carnivores globally. Our search led to 87 research articles, which we further separated into three method types: carcass studies (n = 45), radio-tracking studies (n = 31), and review or meta-analysis papers (n = 15). Across the 87 studies, 20 large carnivore species were represented, with the most frequently included species being grizzly bears (Ursus arctos; n = 25 studies), grey wolves (Canis lupus; n = 19 studies), American black bears (Ursus americanus; n = 17 studies), and cougars (Puma concolor; n = 17 studies). We found that roads were a significant contributor to the mortality of large carnivores, though in most systems hunting and other forms of lethal take were larger contributors. Further, our review highlighted important research gaps for species of highest conservation concern and in regions of the largest anticipated road system expansion. This work emphasizes the need for expanded research efforts in these understudied regions to develop successful mitigation strategies and offset the negative impacts of roads on these vulnerable large carnivore populations.

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