Moose-train collisions: the effects of vegetation removal with a cost–benefit analysis
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Published source details
Jaren V., Andersen R., Ulleberg M., Pedersen P.H. & Wiseth B. (1991) Moose-train collisions: the effects of vegetation removal with a cost–benefit analysis. Alces, 27, 93-99.
Published source details Jaren V., Andersen R., Ulleberg M., Pedersen P.H. & Wiseth B. (1991) Moose-train collisions: the effects of vegetation removal with a cost–benefit analysis. Alces, 27, 93-99.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Modify vegetation along railways to reduce collisions by reducing attractiveness to mammals Action Link |
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Modify vegetation along railways to reduce collisions by reducing attractiveness to mammals
A before-and-after study, site comparison study in 1980–1988 along a railway through boreal forest in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway (Jaren et al. 1991) found that vegetation removal alongside the railway reduced moose Alces alces deaths. Fewer moose were killed by trains after vegetation clearance (22 moose) than before (87 moose). Numbers also fell along uncleared sections but to a lesser extent with 27 killed after vegetation was cleared in experimental sections compared to 47 before. Vegetation clearance was estimated to be cost effective if more than 0.28 moose/km/year were expected to be killed in absence of clearance. Moose deaths were recorded along a 61-km section of railway in April–November of 1980–1988. In 1984, two sections with the highest casualties (totalling 22 km), had all bushes and trees removed from 20 m either side of the railway and all those <4 m high removed from a further 10 m width. Additional vegetation was removed at bends and on areas of browse attractive to moose. In 1986, cleared areas were sprayed with herbicide (Roundup) to reduce vegetation re-growth.
(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
