Finding evidence of 70 years of road impact on wildlife and a proposal of mitigation measures. Route 2: Interamericana Sur-Costa Rica
Summary
There is a need to generate strong evidence on the impact of roads on wildlife on biodiverse tropical regions to propose the implementation of mitigation measures. Mesoamerica is a biodiverse region and road expansion and improvement is on the rise. Tapirs, oncillas, an endemic rabbit and many other species have been documented being roadkilled on Route 2: Interamericana Sur in Costa Rica. Camera traps and road surveys will give us information about their distribution and how they are being affected by this road. This information will allow us to recommend mitigation measures (e.g., underpasses, fences, arboreal crossings) to decrease the possibility of being killed by cars and to ensure connectivity of their populations. The collection of these type of data on an existing road and the subsequent use of this information to request mitigation measures is a new landmark for the country and will be implemented through a collaborative effort between Panthera and several governmental entities.
Clasificaciones
Region
Scale of implementation
Ecosystem
Theme
Other theme
Challenges
Sustainable development goals
Aichi targets
Other targets
Business engagement approach
(I)NDC Submission
Challenges
Mesoamerica is a biodiverse region and road expansion and improving is on the way. We lack of proper data on the Mesoamerican regions of the implications of the impact of roads on wildlife and specific mitigation measures. We need to display with solid research what is beneath for proper mitigation measures. Taipirs, oncillas, Dice's cottontail rabbit and many other species will be monitored. Camera traps and road surveys will give us information about their distribution and vulnerability towards roads. This information will guide us to recommend measures for them to cross safely and ensure connectivity for their populations and make this road safer for drivers. Wildlife data collection on an existing road and using this information to request mitigation measures is a new procedure for the country and will be implemented by an interdisciplinary team.
Beneficiaries
Ecosystems of protected areas, local comunities, administratives and park Rangers sorrounding Route 2;
Drivers of Route 2;
Other existing routes where mitigation maeasures for wildlife are missingon the Mesoamerican Region;
Building blocks
¿ Cómo interactúan los building blocks en la solución?
One of the Buildlig blocks is a general guidance for the implementation of environmental measures on roads to reduce the impact on wildlife. The other building block is an effort to aproach the specific need of the implementation of mitigation measures for willife on existing roads, since 2020 .
Galería interactiva
Impacts
In 2019, in collaboration with representatives of the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Environment and NGOs we found a procedure that the government could use to implement measures for wildlife on existing roads. We need to generate sound scientific information to make the proper recommendations on Route 2, where many wildlife has been roadkilled, including 30 tapirs in the last 10 years. We are working in collaboration with the representatives of the National Parks and Forest Reserves at the edges of the road, and the Ministry of Public Transportation local office, to activate the procedure on Route 2. At this point we have:- identified 60 drainages from 194 under Route 2 that can work as underpass for wildlife with retrofitting-identified the use of this dreinages by rabbits, weasel, racoons and squirrels -estimate of 4.000 wild animals dead on Route 2 due to vehicle collisions in a year -identified pecarries, tapirs, puma and oncillas on the surrounding protected areas -this year two tapirs and an oncilla have died due to vehicle collisions -consolidate a working group with representatives of the Government to consolidate the procedure to implement measures on this existing road, Route 2. This December a final report will be delivered to the Ministry of Environments for validation. They will proceed to request the implementation of the measures to the Ministry of Transportations.
Story
Safe roads for everyone
As one of the earliest transportation ecologists, I have worked with many other ecologists as this field of applied science has grown. Transportation ecology is a key field to mitigate impacts to habitat connectivity and wildlife movement from linear development. I have known Daniela Araya-Gamboa for about 8 years, and have watched and mentored her and her female colleagues as she has shown an admirable and innovative leadership in Costa Rica. Her latest project on Route 2: Interamerican Highway is one of her best efforts, because she has recognized and leaped on the opportunity to use an extremely rare if not possibly unique situation to not only mitigate the effects on that highway, but to also use it to further knowledge about how to mitigate the effects on other highways. While she is finding key information on how to mitigate unique effects on Central American species, her findings will be used globally to further a young field of science. I have reviewed and worked with with her the methodology of this project, and have been impressed with her approach and the importance of her early findings as well as the exciting possibilities of the remainder of the project. She has also creatively leveraged her limited resources with in kind support as well as her own limited time to gain useful results already in a short period of time. I heartily recommend supporting this project and Ms. Araya-Gamboa's leadership. ---Sandra L. Jacobson, retired Wildlife Biologist, US Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, CA.
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