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Moore LJ, Petrovan SO, Bates AJ, Hicks HL, Baker PJ, Perkins SE, Yarnell RW. Demographic effects of road mortality on mammalian populations: a systematic review. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1033-1050. [PMID: 36843247 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
In light of rapidly expanding road networks worldwide, there is increasing global awareness of the growing amount of mammalian roadkill. However, the ways in which road mortality affects the population dynamics of different species remains largely unclear. We aimed to categorise the demographic parameters in mammalian populations around the world that are directly or indirectly affected by road mortality, as well as identify the most effective study designs for quantifying population-level consequences of road mortality. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to synthesise literature published between 2000 and 2021 and out of 11,238 unique studies returned, 83 studies were retained comprising 69 mammalian species and 150 populations. A bias towards research-intensive countries and larger mammals was apparent. Although searches were conducted in five languages, all studies meeting the inclusion criteria were in English. Relatively few studies (13.3%) provided relevant demographic context to roadkill figures, hampering understanding of the impacts on population persistence. We categorised five direct demographic parameters affected by road mortality: sex- and age-biased mortality, the percentage of a population killed on roads per year (values up to 50% were reported), the contribution of roadkill to total mortality rates (up to 80%), and roadkill during inter-patch or long-distance movements. Female-biased mortality may be more prevalent than previously recognised and is likely to be critical to population dynamics. Roadkill was the greatest source of mortality for 28% of studied populations and both additive and compensatory mechanisms to roadkill were found to occur, bringing varied challenges to conservation around roads. In addition, intra-specific population differences in demographic effects of road mortality were common. This highlights that the relative importance of road mortality is likely to be context specific as the road configuration and habitat quality surrounding a population can vary. Road ecology studies that collect data on key life parameters, such as age/stage/sex-specific survival and dispersal success, and that use a combination of methods are critical in understanding long-term impacts. Quantifying the demographic impacts of road mortality is an important yet complex consideration for proactive road management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Moore
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Silviu O Petrovan
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Adam J Bates
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Helen L Hicks
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Philip J Baker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
| | - Sarah E Perkins
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Richard W Yarnell
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
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Wiskirchen KH, Jacobsen TC, Ditchkoff SS, Demarais S, Grand JB. Adult white‐tailed deer survival in hunted populations on public and private lands. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevyn H. Wiskirchen
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Auburn University Auburn AL 36849 USA
| | - Todd C. Jacobsen
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Auburn University Auburn AL 36849 USA
| | - Stephen S. Ditchkoff
- College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Auburn University Auburn AL 36849 USA
| | - Steve Demarais
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Mississippi State MS 39762 USA
| | - James B. Grand
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Auburn University Auburn AL 36849 USA
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Long ES, Diefenbach DR, Lutz CL, Wallingford BD, Rosenberry CS. Risky movements? Natal dispersal does not decrease survival of a large herbivore. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2731-2740. [PMID: 33767832 PMCID: PMC7981212 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Natal dispersal is assumed to be a particularly risky movement behavior as individuals transfer, often long distances, from birth site to site of potential first reproduction. Though, because this behavior persists in populations, it is assumed that dispersal increases the fitness of individuals despite the potential for increased risk of mortality. The extent of dispersal risk, however, has rarely been tested, especially for large mammals. Therefore, we aimed to test the relationship between dispersal and survival for both males and females in a large herbivore. Using a radio-transmittered sample of 398 juvenile male and 276 juvenile female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), we compared survival rates of dispersers and nondispersers. We predicted that dispersing deer would experience greater overall mortality than philopatric deer due to direct transfer-related risks (e.g., vehicular collision), indirect immigration-related mortality attributable to colonization of unfamiliar habitat, and increased overwinter mortality associated with energetic costs of movement and unfamiliarity with recently colonized habitat. For both male and female yearlings, survival rates of dispersers (male = 49.9%, female = 64.0%) did not differ from nondispersers (male = 51.6%, female = 70.7%). Only two individuals (both female) were killed by vehicular collision during transfer, and overwinter survival patterns were similar between the two groups. Although dispersal movement likely incurs energetic costs on dispersers, these costs do not necessarily translate to decreased survival. In many species, including white-tailed deer, dispersal is likely condition-dependent, such that larger and healthier individuals are more likely to disperse; therefore, costs associated with dispersal are more likely to be borne successfully by those individuals that do disperse. Whether low-risk dispersal of large mammals is the rule or the exception will require additional research. Further, future research is needed to evaluate nonsurvival fitness-related costs and benefits of dispersal (e.g., increased reproductive opportunities for dispersers).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Long
- Department of BiologySeattle Pacific UniversitySeattleWAUSA
| | - Duane R. Diefenbach
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitPennsylvania State UniversityU.S. Geological SurveyUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - Clayton L. Lutz
- Southcentral RegionPennsylvania Game CommissionHuntingdonPAUSA
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Dion JR, Haus JM, Rogerson JE, Bowman JL. White‐tailed deer neonate survival in the absence of predators. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Justin R. Dion
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware 531 S College Avenue Newark Delaware 19716 USA
| | - Jacob M. Haus
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware 531 S College Avenue Newark Delaware 19716 USA
| | - Joseph E. Rogerson
- Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife 6180 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna Delaware 19977 USA
| | - Jacob L. Bowman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware 531 S College Avenue Newark Delaware 19716 USA
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Haus JM, Dion JR, Kalb MM, Ludwig EL, Rogerson JE, Bowman JL. Interannual Variability in Survival Rates for Adult Female White‐Tailed Deer. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Haus
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark DE 19716 USA
| | - Justin R. Dion
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark DE 19716 USA
| | - Melissa M. Kalb
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark DE 19716 USA
| | - Eric L. Ludwig
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark DE 19716 USA
| | - Joseph E. Rogerson
- Division of Fish and WildlifeDelaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control 6180 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna DE 19977 USA
| | - Jacob L. Bowman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark DE 19716 USA
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Haus JM, Webb SL, Strickland BK, McCarthy KP, Rogerson JE, Bowman JL. Individual heterogeneity in resource selection has implications for mortality risk in white‐tailed deer. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Haus
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark Delaware 19716 USA
| | - Stephen L. Webb
- Noble Research Institute, LLC 2510 Sam Noble Parkway Ardmore Oklahoma 73401 USA
| | - Bronson K. Strickland
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Box 9690 Mississippi State Mississippi 39762 USA
| | - Kyle P. McCarthy
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark Delaware 19716 USA
| | - Joseph E. Rogerson
- Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife 6180 Hay Point Landing Road Smyrna Delaware 19977 USA
| | - Jacob L. Bowman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology University of Delaware 531 South College Avenue Newark Delaware 19716 USA
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