Roadside Ecology

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International is the world’s largest voluntary organization raising funds
for promoting conservation. Certain birds get protection in the form of religious beliefs, superstitions and
popular sentiments. The White stork, Sarus crane and Siberian crane also enjoy varying degrees of protection by
popular sentiment (S. Bopinwar, S. B. Zade and T. K. Ghosh, 2012).
The white stork is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian
Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies (Anonymous, 2010).
The white stork Ciconia ciconia is a large white bird and it is a widespread winter visitor (S. Bopinwar, S. B.
Zade and T. K. Ghosh, 2012). And they are known to co-exist with the mankind from the ancient times. Thus
they are connected with European (old) folklore as well as been associated with child births. This is due to the
large size, predation and nesting behavior of this species close to the human settlements and on rooftops. This
bird was mentioned even in the famous stories of Aesop’s fables.

Introduction: Collisions between vehicles and wild animals are associated with factors such as habitat fragmentation, as well as ecological and behavioral factors. It is estimated that around 475 million wild animals are killed in road collisions across the country. Objective: To identify the hotspots of wildlife roadkill along our monitored section of the highway, identify the species involved and analyze their association with potential risk factors contributing to wildlife–vehicle collisions, characterize the surrounding environment, and propose mitigation measures. Methods: This study aimed to conduct a systematic monthly survey of wildlife–vehicle collisions along the SP 330 highway in São Paulo, Brazil, covering a total monitored stretch of 331.13 km during the period from 2018 to 2021. We identify and describe hotspots to inform the development of targeted mitigation strategies. Results: There were 3801 occurrences, involving 5364 animals of 28 different orders and 71 species. The Caviidae family, represented by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and preá (Cavia aperea) (32.84%, (n = 1762), was the most affected, followed by Dasipodidae, represented by armadillos, nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and tatupeba (Euphractus sexcinctus), totaling 15.62% (n = 838) of the cases; Canidae, with wild dog (Cerdocyon thous), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), and hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) 14.20% (n = 762); Leporidae, with hares (Lepus europaeus) and tapitis (Sylvilagus brasiliensis), accounting for 5.49% (n = 295) of cases; and Myrmecophagidae, giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla), with 196 individuals (3.65%). Among all species, the capybara was the most affected, accounting for 16.36% of deaths (n = 562). It is estimated that 64.0% of the animals died, 35.0% were chased away, and 0.9% were transferred for rehabilitation. In the Kernel density map, the surrounding areas were anthropized, with some forest fragments present. Conclusions: Roadways affect wildlife populations and their natural behavior.

Among all roads threats, roadkills in highways are considered the greatest source of anthropic pressure on wild vertebrate populations. In Brazil, data on bat-vehicles collisions are scarce and underestimated in studies on roadkilled fauna. Herein we present the first records of bat-vehicles collisions in the southern region of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Eleven individuals were recorded, belonging to at least four species. Sturnira lilium presented the highest frequency of collisions, followed by Artibeus lituratus. The diet and foraging behavior are the most likely factors that explain the number of roadkilled bats in highways.

Background: Heavy metals being natural components of the earth's crust, cannot be degraded or destroyed. These metals are ubiquitous, so enter the human body through food, water, and air, which in high concentrations in biological systems result in human diseases and disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of heavy metals which include lead, zinc, cadmium, and chromium in vegetables cultivated on the roadside by the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Methods: Vegetable samples which included leaves of lettuce, spinach, and pumpkin were collected from three wayside farms namely; Abule Ado, Abule Oshun, and Oluti. A total of 36 samples were collected for the assessment of the heavy metal contents in the vegetables, which included lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), and Chromium (Cr) using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific 210 VGP model) in mg/ kg. The results were evaluated statistically for differences in heavy metal concentrations among the regions.

In the middle of a political and fiscal crisis, the Brazilian government is applying successive budget cuts, including in science funding. Recent cuts radically affect research programs on biodiversity that are crucial components for the design and monitoring of public policies for nature conservation and sustainable development. We analyze the consequences of such cuts on the Research Program on Biodiversity (PPBio), the largest biodiversity research network in Brazil (626 researchers, nine networks in all Brazilian biomes). Brazil holds a substantial part of the world's biodiversity and of tropical forests that play a significant role for regional and global climate stability. If underfunding is maintained, the dismantling of the Brazilian PPBio will have consequences that go beyond biodiversity knowledge itself but affect society as a whole. Brazil will likely fail to reach the National Targets for Biodiversity 2011-2020, and it will be difficult to fulfill the restoration target of the Brazilian NDC and to advance with the sustainable development goals.

Environmental changes are now a day's happening regularly day to day increase in temperature ,Scarcity of rainfall ,Drying of lakes have strong implication on Biodiversity .) .Global warming has set in motion and is affecting the timing of migration of birds .Birds are reliable indicator of environment change for centuries and their arrival indicate start of winter and departure summer in study area .There are many example of the effect of climate change on birds from all around the world which taken together provide compelling evidence that climate change is already affecting birds in diverse ways. The study was carried out for two years considering the changes occurring in climate parameters like Air Temperature, Rainfall were taken into facts .Keen observation with the help camera photography were taken to study. The effect on migrating Birds which measure international status on wet lands and lakes. Hence in the present study the data on biodiversity ,migratory birds have been collected to understand How climate change supported the dwelling of avian fauna in this area. This paper opens a review on migration of birds on the eve of 14th&15 th May of world Bird migratory day.

Les routes et la circulation ont des repercussions nefastes sur nombre de populations fauniques, parce qu’elles augmentent le taux de mortalite animale pour beaucoup d’especes, sont des obstacles pour le deplacement des animaux et reduisent la quantite et la qualite de l’habitat disponible. Nous sommes de plus en plus interesses par la reduction de la connectivite pour la faune pres des routes. Si les efforts ne sont pas faits pour reduire ces effets, il pourrait y avoir des consequences desastreuses pour les processus ecologiques et les populations fauniques. Lors de l’elargissement de deux a quatre voies de la route 175 (de 2006 a 2011) entre les villes de Quebec et de Saguenay, 33 passages fauniques inferieurs ont ete mis en place entre les km 60 et 144. Ils comptent parmi les premiers passages fauniques au Quebec concus specifiquement pour les mammiferes de petite et de moyenne taille. Le projet de recherche comporte trois objectifs principaux : caracteriser les sites de collisi...

Faunal mortality from roadkill has a negative impact on global biodiversity, and bats are among the roadkilled animals. In South America, the Atlantic Forest covers southeastern Brazil, a region which sustains a large bat diversity. In this biome, the Sooretama reserves are crossed by the federal highway BR-101, one of the busiest in Brazil. We analyzed bats roadkilled along the 25 km stretch of highway that crosses the Sooretama reserves. Data were collected between the years 2010 and 2015. In total, 773 individuals distributed among 47 bat species were roadkilled during this period. The insectivorous feeding guild was the most affected, accounting for 25 species and 74% of the recorded roadkill, and those flying in the open area were the most frequently roadkilled (41.9%). Bat mortality rates did not differ between months of the year. However, the relation between rainy days and roadkill was negative. Monitoring by foot was more efficient than by car for detection of bat carcasses...

In Brazil, studies on roadkills are recent and usually restricted to lists of species found at some road stretch. Among mammals, medium-and large-sized species have received greater attention. The present study aimed at presenting the first list of bat roadkills in Brazil, including comments on the traits that may cause roadkills. We recorded 415 deaths from 44 species of seven families in all Brazilian biomes. We did not observe a relationship between body size or type of flight with the number of bat-vehicle collisions. Frugivore was the trophic guild most victimized, possibly due to greater natural abundance, foraging in low height airspace, and capacity to make long-distance movements. The elevated number of species recorded indicates that these roads may exert a negative effect on bat fauna. We encourage road ecologists and environmental agencies to include bats in their fauna monitoring of road infrastructure and request to make more accurate estimates of this impact. RESUMO. Em rota de colisão: a vulnerabilidade de morcegos à atropelamentos no Brasil. No Brasil os estudos sobre atropelamentos de fauna são recentes e, na maioria dos casos, restritos a lista de espécies encontradas em alguns trechos de rodovias. Dentre os mamíferos, espécies de médio e grande porte têm recebido maior atenção. O presente estudo apresenta a primeira lista de morcegos atropelados no Brasil, incluindo comentários sobre os fatores que podem causar os atropelamentos. Nós registramos 415 óbitos de 44 espécies e sete famílias em todos os biomas brasileiros. Nós não observação relação entre o tamanho corporal e o tipo de voo com o número de colisões entre veículos e morcegos. Morcegos frugívoros foram os mais vitimados, possivelmente, em virtude de sua maior abundância natural, por forragear em baixas alturas e pela elevada capacidade de movimentação. O alto número de espécies indica que as estradas podem exercer um viés negativo sobre a quiropterofauna. Nós incentivamos que pesquisadores e agências ambientais incluam morcegos no monitoramento de fauna em infraestruturas viárias e solicitem estimativas mais precisas desse impacto.

New remote sensing data on vegetation cover and restoration opportunities bring hope to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, one of the hottest of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. Available estimates of remaining vegetation cover in the biome currently range from 11% to 16%. However, our new land-cover map, prepared at the highest resolution ever (5 m), reveals a current vegetation cover of 28%, or 32 million hectares (Mha) of native vegetation. Simultaneously, we found 7.2 Mha of degraded riparian areas, of which 5.2 Mha at least must be restored before 2038 by landowners for legislation compliance. Restoring the existing legal debt could increase native vegetation cover in the Atlantic Forest up to 35%. Such effort, if well planned and implemented, could reduce extinction processes by increasing connectivity of vegetation remnants and rising total native cover to above the critical biodiversity threshold established for different taxonomic groups. If undertaken, this process can be adaptive to climate change and boost sustainable development in this most populous biome in Brazil, turning it into a hopespot.

The ecosystem services mainly approach concepts integrating the public into forest management and maintenance activities to provide welfare for people. One of the main objectives of ecosystem services is to provide the desired services for humans in qualitative and quantitative ways

Faunal mortality from roadkill has a negative impact on global biodiversity, and bats are among the roadkilled animals. In South America, the Atlantic Forest covers southeastern Brazil, a region which sustains a large bat diversity. In this biome, the Sooretama reserves are crossed by the federal highway BR-101, one of the busiest in Brazil. We analyzed bats roadkilled along the 25 km stretch of highway that crosses the Sooretama reserves. Data were collected between the years 2010 and 2015. In total, 773 individuals distributed among 47 bat species were roadkilled during this period. The insectivorous feeding guild was the most affected, accounting for 25 species and 74% of the recorded roadkill, and those flying in the open area were the most frequently roadkilled (41.9%). Bat mortality rates did not differ between months of the year. However, the relation between rainy days and roadkill was negative. Monitoring by foot was more efficient than by car for detection of bat carcasses...

The knowledge of a species’ spatial ecology is essential for its conservation as it helps to implement targeted protection measures to suitable habitats. In 2011 and 2013, two French populations of ocellated lizards Timon lepidus were monitored through very high frequency (VHF) radio telemetry in two distinct Mediterranean habitats: a 77 ha scrubland (n = 8) and a 1590 ha semi-arid steppe (n = 11) corresponding to a heterogeneous and homogeneous habitat respectively. The variability in spatial estimates for the seasonal habitat use of the ocellated lizard was compared within the two sites using the Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimation (AKDE). Recursive movement patterns and spatial repartition of shelters were further assessed to study the habitat influence on the species’ space use. No significant differences between sexes or sites were identified in the computed AKDE ranges. This inter-site approach demonstrated higher shelter revisits in core-areas than in the rest of estimat...

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Native plant materials (NPMs) are increasingly utilized during the restoration of disturbed plant communities. Here, we analyze next-generation genetic sequencing data for Hilaria jamesii, a dominant graminoid across drylands of the southwestern United States, and document that the species' only commercially-available NPM, 'Viva', is a hybrid between H. jamesii and its sister species, H. mutica. In fact, hybrids between these species are common where they geographically overlap. Furthermore, we show that the 'Viva' hybrid has successfully been moved beyond the hybrid zone and into the core range of H. jamesii. The potential ramifications of introducing novel genetic material into H. jamesii are discussed, as well as the utility of genetic analyses to protect species natural patterns of genetic diversity and help managers make informed decisions regarding the development and deployment of NPMs.

69 road sections with amphibian mortality known from 2006 in Lviv Region (Western Ukraine) were repeatedly surveyed in 2017. 2078 dead individuals of nine amphibian species were detected and identified on the road surface (Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Hyla orientalis, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax esculentus). The most numerous victims appeared to be B. bufo (72.8 %) and R. temporaria (22.6 %) which is almost the same as in 2006 (90.5 % together). However, the qualitative and quantitative composition has decreased in a decade (compare 3555 individuals of 13 amphibian species in 2006). As we suppose, the main reasons for amphibian population decline in the region are contamination, degradation and disappearance of the breeding ponds as well as the increased traffic intensity. According to the estimation of our research four B. bufo populations are under the excessive influence of roads and transportation, and ...

Facing global climate change is a great challenge for organisms. Numerous species respond to a changing climate by shifting their geographical ranges, adapting to the local climate or finding microrefugia to persist under unfavorable macroclimatic conditions. Orchids are frequently found in roadside verges, and it was demonstrated that roadsides could serve as refugia for them in a changing landscape. We investigated whether roadside slopes, facing different compass directions could serve as microrefugia for orchids, using our database spanning across 18 European countries. Our results showed that the probability of orchid occurrence in north-facing roadside slopes are greater than on south-facing slopes. Further, we found a significant difference in the probability of orchid occurrence in different exposures under unfavorable macroclimatic conditions. In south-facing slopes, the probability of orchid occurrence decreased with increasing annual mean temperature and increasing precipitation seasonality. This suggests that harsh microclimatic environments intensify the negative effects of the macroclimate in south-facing slopes. Moreover, roadside slopes with cooler microclimatic conditions might facilitate the persistence of orchids under a warming and increasingly stochastic climate.

Stormwater ponds ("SWPs") are artificial roadside structures, conceived to retain and clean polluted runoff water, before its release to the environment. SWPs were not designed as suitable habitats for wildlife. However, SWPs in Europe are frequently used as breeding sites by amphibians, especially by the European green frog (Pelophylax sp.). Yet, the potential longterm effects of pollutants within SWPs on the populations of this species are unknown. In this study, we investigated the suitability of SWPs as a habitat for European green frogs living in Alsace, NE France, a region with a highly modified landscape that mainly consists of croplands with few natural wetlands remaining. We compared various biological indicators of individual health in 709 green frogs belonging to different life history stages, living in 9 semi-natural ponds (SNPs) and in 25 SWPs. There were no differences between these two pond types for most of the indicators investigated. However, juveniles had a lower body condition (-124%) in SWPs, while adults were 8.3% larger and 41.4% heavier in SWPs. Based on these results, we suggest that SWPs are not a suitable habitat for the development of European green frogs (i.e. juveniles), but may serve as a substitute habitat for adults in a highly modified landscape with few natural wetlands remaining. SWPs may especially act as relay sites, allowing frogs to colonize relict wetlands.

Animal-vehicle collisions are the main negative impact of roads on wildlife, where they cause population declines, shifts in community structure, and potential changes in species behavior. Here, we determined mammal roadkill rates and the hotspots with higher rates for medium- and large-bodied mammals on the Highway PR-445 in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We have also evaluated possible differences in the frequency of roadkills concerning species activity patterns and their feeding habits. In doing so, we monitored the PR-445 twice a week between the kilometers 1 and 76, from March 2018 to March 2019, totaling 7296 km after 96 trips. We have recorded 93 mammal roadkills belonging to 17 species, representing a rate of 0.013 individual/km/day. The Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, and Cingulata orders showed to be the most common representatives among the roadkills. Omnivores were more prone to get hit by vehicles than herbivores and carnivores. The type of mammal activity pattern was not de...

Animal-vehicle collisions are the main negative impact of roads on wildlife, where they cause population declines, shifts in community structure, and potential changes in species behavior. Here, we determined mammal roadkill rates and the hotspots with higher rates for medium- and large-bodied mammals on the Highway PR-445 in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We have also evaluated possible differences in the frequency of roadkills concerning species activity patterns and their feeding habits. In doing so, we monitored the PR-445 twice a week between the kilometers 1 and 76, from March 2018 to March 2019, totaling 7296 km after 96 trips. We have recorded 93 mammal roadkills belonging to 17 species, representing a rate of 0.013 individual/km/day. The Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, and Cingulata orders showed to be the most common representatives among the roadkills. Omnivores were more prone to get hit by vehicles than herbivores and carnivores. The type of mammal activity pattern was not de...

Being a significant global biodiversity hotspot, the Atlantic Forest has been drastically reduced by human activities. Among the anthropic activities that most affect the biodiversity of this biome is the construction and operation of roads and highways. Between harmful effects of these infrastructures, wildlife roadkill is currently considered one of the biggest causes of mortality of wild vertebrates. This study evaluated patterns of vertebrates' roadkill on two roads in the coastal region of the largest continuous remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. For twelve months, we carry out weekly samples with a motor vehicle at a constant speed of 40 km/h to search for carcasses along the roads. All carcasses found were georeferenced and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Then, using Siriema v.2.0 software, we analyzed roadkill aggregation and the spatial distribution of hotspots of wildlife roadkill. In 43 sampling days, 209 road-killed animals were registered (average roadkill rate of 0.105 and 0.111 animals/kilometer/day for PR-407 e PR-508, respectively). Extrapolating the rates found, we estimate that about 1,773 animals can be roadkill every year on these roads. The most affected groups were birds (33.01%) and amphibians (30.62%), followed by reptiles (19.13%) and mammals (17.33%). Warmer months had the highest roadkill rates. We found two critical roadkill hotspots for the PR-407 (kilometer 11.7 to 12.5 and kilometer 14.7 to 16.7). For the PR-508, we found a critical point of 5.2 km (kilometer 5 to 10.2). As a short-term measure, we recommend installing speed reducers in the identified stretches and implementing environmental education campaigns with residents and tourists, especially during the summer months, aiming to mitigate the roadkill on both roads. However, due to the importance and environmental fragility of the area, we emphasize the need for running periodic road ecology and local wildlife population viability studies in the medium and long term.

Climate change is a global phenomenon that affects biophysical systems and human wellbeing. The Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force in 2016 with the objective of strengthening the global response to climate change by keeping global temperature rise this century well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C. The agreement requires all Parties to submit their "nationally determined contributions" (NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in the years ahead. Reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is an important strategy for mitigating climate change, particularly in developing countries with large forests. Extensive tropical forest loss and degradation have increased awareness at the international level of the need to undertake large-scale ecological restoration, highlighting the need to identify cases in which restoration strategies can contribute to mitigation and adaptation. Here we consider Brazil as a case study to evaluate the benefits and challenges of implementing large-scale restoration programs in developing countries. The Brazilian NDC included the target of restoring and reforesting 12 million hectares of forests for multiple uses by 2030. Restoration of native vegetation is one of the foundations of sustainable rural development in Brazil and should consider multiple purposes, from biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation to social and economic development. However, ecological restoration still presents substantial challenges for tropical and megadiverse countries, including the need to develop plans that are technically and financially feasible, as well as public policies and monitoring instruments that can assess effectiveness. The planning, execution, and monitoring of restoration efforts strongly depend on the context and the diagnosis of the area with respect to reference ecosystems (e.g., forests, savannas, grasslands, wetlands). In addition, poor integration of climate change policies at the national and subnational levels and with other sectorial policies constrains the large-scale implementation of restoration programs. The case of Brazil shows that slowing deforestation is possible; however, this analysis highlights the need for increased national commitment and international support for actions that require large-scale transformations of the forest sector regarding ecosystem restoration efforts. Scaling up the ambitions and actions of the Paris Agreement implies the need for a global framework that recognizes landscape restoration as a costeffective nature-based solution and that supports countries in addressing their remaining needs, challenges, and barriers.

In Brazil, roadkill of wild animals represents an important part of the local biodiversity loss. Even so, studies focused on road ecology are still very scarce for many regions of the country. The present study aimed to monitor the mortality of wild vertebrates on the Federal Highway BR-235, in Sergipe (Brazil), and analyze possible seasonal variations in roadkill rates. Between August 2020 and July 2021, two samples were taken per month in a stretch of 20 km of the BR-235, traveled by motorcycle at a speed of 40 to 50 km/h. Seventy-five individuals of 30 vertebrate species were recorded. The roadkill rate was 0.156 individuals per kilometer covered. The most recorded classes were birds with 29 individuals (13 spp.) and mammals with 23 individuals (10 spp.). The species with the highest number of records was Rhinella sp. with 16 records (21.6%), Coragyps atratus with eight records (10.8%) and Didelphis albiventris with seven records (9.4%). Among the species recorded, two are threatened with extinction (Leopardus tigrinus and Puma yagouaroundi). A greater number of roadkill was registered in the rainy season. The results reveal this stretch of BR-235 as a source of continuous mortality for the region's fauna.

Some of the most striking behaviors of animals are displays used in courtship, territorial behavior, and in defense against predators. Among reptiles, lizards exhibit enormous diversity in the stereotyped motion patterns of their bobbing displays. Although the bobbing displays of numerous lizard species have been described to date, those of the Galá pagos Lava Lizards (Microlophus spp., Tropiduridae) have received comparatively little attention. Here, we analyze bobbing displays from four of the nine lava lizard species: Microlophus albemarlensis, M. bivittatus, M. grayii, and M. indefatigabilis. Field-recorded displays first were standardized to a common amplitude scale, and attributes of display duration and head amplitude were measured. Next, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) was computed for each display, and data were gathered on 13 frequency and amplitude variables. Then, we conducted a principal components analysis on the Fourier transform-based variables, and used discriminant function analyses (both standard and permuted) to test the strength of species specificity in display structure. Results showed that displays with simpler structure (M. albemarlensis and M. grayii) were more often correctly assigned to species than were displays with more complex structure (M. bivittatus and M. indefatigabilis). We offer predictions for further tests on the bobbing displays of additional species of Galá pagos lava lizards, and suggest that DFT represents a promising tool for the analysis of animal motion displays.

Animal-vehicle collisions are the main negative impact of roads on wildlife, where they cause population declines, shifts in community structure, and potential changes in species behavior. Here, we determined mammal roadkill rates and the hotspots with higher rates for medium- and large-bodied mammals on the Highway PR-445 in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We have also evaluated possible differences in the frequency of roadkills concerning species activity patterns and their feeding habits. In doing so, we monitored the PR-445 twice a week between the kilometers 1 and 76, from March 2018 to March 2019, totaling 7296 km after 96 trips. We have recorded 93 mammal roadkills belonging to 17 species, representing a rate of 0.013 individual/km/day. The Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, and Cingulata orders showed to be the most common representatives among the roadkills. Omnivores were more prone to get hit by vehicles than herbivores and carnivores. The type of mammal activity pattern was not de...

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biomes on the planet and also one of the most devastated; currently its distribution is summarized to isolated forest fragments and conservation units. The implementation and maintenance of ecological corridors is an alternative to mitigate negative effects caused by fragmentation. Analysis of the least cost path is a suitable technique for the correct implementation of corridors and can be improved with Fuzzy method. The objective of this work was to determine the potential forest fragments to interconnect in order to create a network of ecological corridors in Atlantic Forest, Espírito Santo State, using Fuzzy concept and least cost path analysis. First, by applying Fuzzy logic, we identified the potential forest fragments for ecological corridors implantation. Next, corridors were suggested based on the least cost path analysis, considering land use, declivity, permanent preservation areas (PPAs), and the 400 forest fragments with greatest ecological potential obtained by Fuzzy logic. A total of 33,105 forest fragments were recorded. Among these, considering combined classes "very good" and "good", only 31.5% were considered suitable for ecological corridors implantation, highlighting the largest fragments within state. Lowest cost path methodology presented 76 routes of runners, with a 335.71 km total length and 63,515.86 ha total area. Land use conflicts showed that forest fragments class predominated in the corridors area. PPAs inside corridors are in misuse, not complying with environmental legislation. Fuzzy Logic concept associated with least cost pathway methodology is an important tool for ecological network planning and implementation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The methodology proposed can be applied to other Brazilian Biomes as well other countries.

In Brazil, studies on roadkills are recent and usually restricted to lists of species found at some road stretch. Among mammals, medium-and large-sized species have received greater attention. The present study aimed at presenting the first list of bat roadkills in Brazil, including comments on the traits that may cause roadkills. We recorded 415 deaths from 44 species of seven families in all Brazilian biomes. We did not observe a relationship between body size or type of flight with the number of bat-vehicle collisions. Frugivore was the trophic guild most victimized, possibly due to greater natural abundance, foraging in low height airspace, and capacity to make long-distance movements. The elevated number of species recorded indicates that these roads may exert a negative effect on bat fauna. We encourage road ecologists and environmental agencies to include bats in their fauna monitoring of road infrastructure and request to make more accurate estimates of this impact. RESUMO. Em rota de colisão: a vulnerabilidade de morcegos à atropelamentos no Brasil. No Brasil os estudos sobre atropelamentos de fauna são recentes e, na maioria dos casos, restritos a lista de espécies encontradas em alguns trechos de rodovias. Dentre os mamíferos, espécies de médio e grande porte têm recebido maior atenção. O presente estudo apresenta a primeira lista de morcegos atropelados no Brasil, incluindo comentários sobre os fatores que podem causar os atropelamentos. Nós registramos 415 óbitos de 44 espécies e sete famílias em todos os biomas brasileiros. Nós não observação relação entre o tamanho corporal e o tipo de voo com o número de colisões entre veículos e morcegos. Morcegos frugívoros foram os mais vitimados, possivelmente, em virtude de sua maior abundância natural, por forragear em baixas alturas e pela elevada capacidade de movimentação. O alto número de espécies indica que as estradas podem exercer um viés negativo sobre a quiropterofauna. Nós incentivamos que pesquisadores e agências ambientais incluam morcegos no monitoramento de fauna em infraestruturas viárias e solicitem estimativas mais precisas desse impacto.

Increasing the connectivity of protected areas is an urgent need to ensure the conservation of forest species and help them to shift their ranges due to anthropogenic drivers. However, efforts to do so considering the joint effects of habitat fragmentation and climate change are still scant. Here, we aimed to outline a framework that incorporates spatial, temporal and multi-taxa criteria to pinpoint locations that connect protected areas in the eastern Amazon. We analyzed three mosaics of protected areas, and data on 603 species (bees, birds, bats) and developed two models using species movement flow (MF; through circuit theory) and habitat suitability (HS; through species distribution models). Considering only the MF, northward areas are the main candidates for corridors, most of which presenting forest cover (68% of the 928,379 ha). This result changes when we analyze the HS, since the corridors are mostly positioned in a different direction (westward) and less than half have forest cover (45% of the 925,058 ha). Candidate areas for both approaches totaled 135,171 ha, with 86% still covered by forest. Our results rely on methodological and taxonomic redundancy (to depict a range of movement and/or habitat requirements) for an efficient strategy to prioritize areas for connectivity. Dynamic restoration simulations showed that the location and order of restoration are important to ensure increased availability of habitat. Our approach can help address two important biodiversity threats (habitat loss and climate change) and maximize the selection of the best corridors to protect species in a rapidly changing world.

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of the views of the road users about the scenic beauty of current roadside vegetation and their perceptions of roadside vegetation with improved scenic value. A majority (83%) of the 183 respondents described scenic quality of roadside vegetation as an important feature of roadside environment indicating awareness among the public about the landscape aspects of the roadside environment. The roadside vegetation was described by a majority of the respondents as unpleasant and drab. The respondents showed a positive attitude towards establishing a variety of vegetation types instead of a uniform seed mixture. Grass swards with flowering herbs near the road and trees further away was the most preferred combination of plant types for re-vegetation of road verges. They also showed a greater preference for the re-establishment of native species in the re-vegetation of roadside verges. However, they did not support higher expenditure on the improvement of scenic beauty of roadside vegetation that calls for introduction of cost-effective methods for re-vegetation and management of roadside verges.

This study described and analyzed the roadkill of native vertebrates in the southwest of the Brazilian State of Goiás, evaluating the influence of the seasonal variation in climate and the influence of highway structure (e.g., two lane/one lane routes, road conditions). In this context, we collected samples each month over a one-year period on five of the region's highways, all of which originate in the town of Jataí, linking it to the neighboring towns of Acreúna, Aporé, Itajá, Doverlândia and Portelândia. We recorded 1113 individuals (0.115 individuals/km/year), including nine amphibians, 55 reptiles, 223 birds, and 826 mammals. The two-lane highway had the highest species richness and abundance, and was significantly different from the other roads. We also found significant seasonal differences in overall abundance, and the species richness and abundance of the herpetofauna, with a greater number of collisions occurring during the rainy season. Over the long term, programs of environmental education-especially during the rainy season-may help to raise the awareness of drivers.

Faunal mortality from roadkill has a negative impact on global biodiversity, and bats are among the roadkilled animals. In South America, the Atlantic Forest covers southeastern Brazil, a region which sustains a large bat diversity. In this biome, the Sooretama reserves are crossed by the federal highway BR-101, one of the busiest in Brazil. We analyzed bats roadkilled along the 25 km stretch of highway that crosses the Sooretama reserves. Data were collected between the years 2010 and 2015. In total, 773 individuals distributed among 47 bat species were roadkilled during this period. The insectivorous feeding guild was the most affected, accounting for 25 species and 74% of the recorded roadkill, and those flying in the open area were the most frequently roadkilled (41.9%). Bat mortality rates did not differ between months of the year. However, the relation between rainy days and roadkill was negative. Monitoring by foot was more efficient than by car for detection of bat carcasses...

Roads have a multitude of negative effects on wildlife, including bat casualties. Most bat species rely on life history traits characterised by high adult survival (associated with greater longevity) and low reproduction rates (hence slow population growth rates). Therefore, road kills are expected to negatively affect local abundance and bat population dynamics. Bat overpasses are among the proposed improvements intended to increase bat flight height to reduce collisions, but their effectiveness has rarely been tested. In this study, we performed a before-after analysis to assess the effectiveness of one bat overpass on bat flight height. We used a novel approach, the bat tracking toolbox (BTT), to reconstruct bat flight paths from thermal videos. We obtained 268 bat flight paths and our results showed that the flight height of bats increased significantly after the installation of the bat overpass. Considering that bat overpasses can help in some situations to increase habitat connectivity and reduce the collision risk, this mitigation measure needs to be further investigated in different contexts of road construction and/or road requalification.

Stormwater ponds ("SWPs") are artificial roadside structures, conceived to retain and clean polluted runoff water, before its release to the environment. SWPs were not designed as suitable habitats for wildlife. However, SWPs in Europe are frequently used as breeding sites by amphibians, especially by the European green frog (Pelophylax sp.). Yet, the potential longterm effects of pollutants within SWPs on the populations of this species are unknown. In this study, we investigated the suitability of SWPs as a habitat for European green frogs living in Alsace, NE France, a region with a highly modified landscape that mainly consists of croplands with few natural wetlands remaining. We compared various biological indicators of individual health in 709 green frogs belonging to different life history stages, living in 9 semi-natural ponds (SNPs) and in 25 SWPs. There were no differences between these two pond types for most of the indicators investigated. However, juveniles had a lower body condition (-124%) in SWPs, while adults were 8.3% larger and 41.4% heavier in SWPs. Based on these results, we suggest that SWPs are not a suitable habitat for the development of European green frogs (i.e. juveniles), but may serve as a substitute habitat for adults in a highly modified landscape with few natural wetlands remaining. SWPs may especially act as relay sites, allowing frogs to colonize relict wetlands.

Some of the most striking behaviors of animals are displays used in courtship, territorial behavior, and in defense against predators. Among reptiles, lizards exhibit enormous diversity in the stereotyped motion patterns of their bobbing displays. Although the bobbing displays of numerous lizard species have been described to date, those of the Galá pagos Lava Lizards (Microlophus spp., Tropiduridae) have received comparatively little attention. Here, we analyze bobbing displays from four of the nine lava lizard species: Microlophus albemarlensis, M. bivittatus, M. grayii, and M. indefatigabilis. Field-recorded displays first were standardized to a common amplitude scale, and attributes of display duration and head amplitude were measured. Next, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) was computed for each display, and data were gathered on 13 frequency and amplitude variables. Then, we conducted a principal components analysis on the Fourier transform-based variables, and used discriminant function analyses (both standard and permuted) to test the strength of species specificity in display structure. Results showed that displays with simpler structure (M. albemarlensis and M. grayii) were more often correctly assigned to species than were displays with more complex structure (M. bivittatus and M. indefatigabilis). We offer predictions for further tests on the bobbing displays of additional species of Galá pagos lava lizards, and suggest that DFT represents a promising tool for the analysis of animal motion displays.

The agile frog Rana dalmatina is a common and frequently studied species in Europe including long-term studies of population change. Several have employed spawn clump counts to give estimates of annual presence of reproductive females. Spawn clumps are also subject to predation but little is known of the extent of losses but it could impact population densities significantly. The objective of the present study was to assess the extent of spawn clump losses due to predation in a population of R. dalmatina in western France using data from numbers of spawn clumps recorded over a four-year period (2019–2022). Spawn counts were greatest during 2019 but numbers declined with a zero count in 2022. Predation was greatest in 2021, the year total counts were lowest, but there were no statistical difference between annual losses, which varied from 22.9–41.6 %. Most spawn was deposited in a series of ditches rather than in the two available ponds but statistically predation
levels were in agreement, with ditches ranging from 26.1–40 % versus ponds 28.6–40 %. Observed predators were ducks and alien crayfish Procambarus clarkii. The latter consumes all stages of frog development and hence likely represents the greater threat, especially since it has the capacity for population increase to very high numbers.

Understanding road-kill patterns is the first step to assess the potential effects of road mortality on wildlife populations, as well as to define the need for mitigation and support its planning. Reptiles are one of the vertebrate groups most affected by roads through vehicle collisions, both because they are intentionally killed by drivers, and due to their biological needs, such as thermoregulation, which make them more prone to collisions. We conducted monthly road surveys (33months), searching for carcasses of freshwater turtles, lizards, and snakes on a 277-km stretch of BR-101 road in Southernmost Brazil to estimate road-kill composition and magnitude and to describe the main periods and locations of road-kills. We modeled the distribution of road-kills in space according to land cover classes and local traffic volume. Considering the detection capacity of our method and carcass persistence probability, we estimated that 15,377 reptiles are road-killed per year (55reptiles/km...

Several degraded areas can be found along the Highway MG-010 that crosses the Espinhaço Mountain Biosphere Reserve in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Restoration by planting the legume Cajanus cajan was implemented in some of these areas. The present study compares plant species richness, diversity, abundance, equitability, similarity, and soil composition between restored and non-restored areas, in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of C. cajan in the restoration process in the mountain environment. Each treatment (restored and non-restored) had four sampling areas, each with three 300 m2 plots. We counted and identified every individual plant found within these plots. We also collected soil from the superficial layer (0-10 cm) of each sampling area in both treatments. The areas where C. cajan was planted revealed lower species richness, diversity, and plant abundance. The soil of these areas also contained higher levels of Phosphorus and Magnesium. Plant equi...

Faced with population growth and intensification of the use of natural resources, Protected Areas (PA) and Indigenous Lands (IL) play a fundamental role in environmental conservation. The carbon increment of preserved vegetation within these areas is accounted for as CO2 removal in the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector of the National Emissions Inventory. A topological evaluation of overlaps was made of the databases of PAs (full protection and sustainable use) and ILs, showing that they represent 6% of the protected areas. Of the total of PAs and ILs areas, 43% were established by 1994, 26% by 2002, 26% by 2010, and 4% between 2011 and 2016. This evaluation showed that 30% of the territory is within PAs and ILs. In terms of area, 84% is distributed in the Amazon, 9% in the Cerrado, 4% in the Atlantic Forest, 3% in the Caatinga, 0,2% in the Pantanal, and 0,3% in the Pampa. In assessing the use and cover of 2010 of the PAs and ILs created up to this year, it was...

wildfire issue in Brazil. Our up-to-date review is aimed at the academic public, environmental managers and decision-and policy-makers. First, we present evidence on the contrasting effects of fire on different ecosystems. Second, we outline the historic perceptions and policies related to fire use and management in Brazil since its colonization to the present date. Third, we propose means to advance fire prevention and develop successful management strategies. Finally, we answer frequently asked questions to clarify and/or demystify some fire-related issues not always properly addressed in the media.

Intensive cereal monoculture is currently the main cause of biodiversity decline in Europe. However, it is difficult to disentangle the effects of intensive monoculture (e.g. pesticide use, mechanical ploughing and reduced protective cover), let alone evaluate how far the reduction of crop diversity affects biodiversity. It remains unclear to which extent the consequent decrease in food resources affects farmland biodiversity, and particularly vertebrate species. We therefore designed this study in mesocosms to investigate the effects of monoculture crops (organic wheat or corn seeds) and mixed crops (a combination of organic wheat, corn, sunflower and alfalfa seeds) on (1) the species richness of weeds and invertebrates and (2) the reproductive success of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), a critically endangered umbrella species of European farmlands. We found a negative impact of organic monoculture crops on plant and invertebrate species richness, with values respectively 38% and 28% lower than those obtained for mixed organic crops. The reproductive success of hamsters was reduced by 82% in monoculture mesocosms. These results highlight that monoculture per se can be detrimental for farmland biodiversity (i.e. from plants to vertebrates), even before taking into account the use of pesticide and mechanization. We believe that future research should further consider how food reduction in agroecosystems affects farmland wildlife, including vertebrates. Moreover, we argue that conservation actions must focus on restoring plant diversity on farmland to reverse the observed trend in farmland wildlife decline.

Faced with population growth and intensification of the use of natural resources, Protected Areas (PA) and Indigenous Lands (IL) play a fundamental role in environmental conservation. The carbon increment of preserved vegetation within these areas is accounted for as CO 2 removal in the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector of the National Emissions Inventory. A topological evaluation of overlaps was made of the databases of PAs (full protection and sustainable use) and ILs, showing that they represent 6% of the protected areas. Of the total of PAs and ILs areas, 43% were established by 1994, 26% by 2002, 26% by 2010, and 4% between 2011 and 2016. This evaluation showed that 30% of the territory is within PAs and ILs. In terms of area, 84% is distributed in the Amazon, 9% in the Cerrado, 4% in the Atlantic Forest, 3% in the Caatinga, 0,2% in the Pantanal, and 0,3% in the Pampa. In assessing the use and cover of 2010 of the PAs and ILs created up to this year, it wa...

Despite growing recognition of the conservation values of grassy biomes, our understanding of how to maintain and restore biodiverse tropical grasslands (including savannas and open-canopy grassy woodlands) remains limited. To incorporate grasslands into large-scale restoration efforts, we synthesised existing ecological knowledge of tropical grassland resilience and approaches to plant community restoration. Tropical grassland plant communities are resilient to, and often dependent on, the endogenous disturbances with which they evolved-frequent fires and native megafaunal herbivory. In stark contrast, tropical grasslands are extremely vulnerable to human-caused exogenous disturbances, particularly those that alter soils and destroy belowground biomass (e.g. tillage agriculture, surface mining); tropical grassland restoration after severe soil disturbances is expensive and rarely achieves management targets. Where grasslands have been degraded by altered disturbance regimes (e.g. fire exclusion), exotic plant invasions, or afforestation, restoration efforts can recreate vegetation structure (i.e. historical tree density and herbaceous ground cover), but species-diverse plant communities, including endemic species, are slow to recover. Complicating plant-community restoration efforts, many tropical grassland species, particularly those that invest in underground storage organs, are difficult to propagate and re-establish. To guide restoration decisions, we draw on the old-growth grassland concept, the novel ecosystem concept, and theory regarding tree cover along resource gradients in savannas to propose a conceptual framework that classifies tropical grasslands into three broad ecosystem states. These states are: (1) old-growth grasslands (i.e. ancient, biodiverse grassy ecosystems), where management should focus on the maintenance

Achieving ambitious global restoration commitments is a huge challenge. The Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact, created in 2009 as a movement to restore 15 Mha of degraded/deforested lands by 2050, pledged 1 Mha towards the 2020 Bonn Challenge. We documented the restoration of an estimated 673,510–740,555 ha of native forests from 2011 to 2015 in the Atlantic Forest, and expect that a total of 1.35–1.48 Mha will be under recovery by 2020. The Pact is one of the first Brazilian restoration initiatives to monitor an international restoration commitment and to demonstrate that ambitious targets can be reached. Part of this success in large-scale restoration is related to three main Pact activities: (i) Please cite this article in press as: Crouzeilles, R., et al. There is hope f Perspect Ecol Conserv. (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecon.2019.0 orest Landscape Restoration atural regeneration estoration accountability estoration monitoring development of restoration go influence public...