Complementary use by vertebrates of crossing structures along a fenced Spanish motorway

Published source details Mata C., Hervàs I., Herranz J., Suàrez F. & Malo J.E. (2005) Complementary use by vertebrates of crossing structures along a fenced Spanish motorway. Biological Conservation, 124, 397-405.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Install overpasses over roads/railways Action Link
	Install overpasses over roads/railways Action Link
	Install barriers and crossing structures along roads/railways Action Link
	Install barrier fencing and underpasses along roads Action Link

Install overpasses over roads/railways

A replicated study in 2002 of a highway in Zamora, Spain (Mata et al. 2005, same experimental set-up as Mata et al. 2008) found that wildlife and other overpasses were used by reptiles. Lacertid lizards (Lacerta spp. and Podarcis spp.) were recorded crossing wildlife overpasses (0.5 crossings/day/structure) and lacertids and ophidians (snakes and legless lacertids) were also recorded crossing other overpasses, such as rural tracks (lacertids: 0.4 crossings/day/structure, ophidians: 0.1). Two wildlife overpasses (16 m wide, 60 m long) and 16 general overpasses (rural tracks, 7–8 m wide, 58–62 m long) were monitored along a 72 km section of the A-52 motorway. The motorway had barrier fencing along its length. Marble dust (1 m wide across) was used to record animal tracks for 10 days in June–September 2002. Camera traps were installed on some overpasses.

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)
Install overpasses over roads/railways

A study in 2002 in along a road in Zamora, Spain (Mata et al. 2005) found that wildlife overpasses were used by mammals. Overpasses were used by red deer Cervus elaphus (detected at wildlife overpasses on average of 2/10 days), small mammals (shrews, mice and voles; detected 1.0/10 days) and rabbits and hares (detected 4.5/10 days). Other overpasses, such as rural tracks, were used by small mammals (detected 6.4/10 days), rabbits and hares (3.3/10) and foxes Vulpes vulpes (1.4/10), but not by red deer. Two wildlife overpasses (16 m wide, 60 m long) and 16 general overpasses (rural tracks, 7–8 m wide, 58–62 m long) were monitored along a 72-km section of the A-52 motorway. The motorway had barrier fencing along its length. Marble dust (1 m wide cross) was used to record animal tracks for 10 days in June–September 2002. Camera traps were installed on some overpasses.

(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
Install barriers and crossing structures along roads/railways

A replicated study in 2002 of a highway in Zamora, Spain (Mata et al. 2005; same experimental set-up as Mata et al. 2008) found that underpasses and culverts, in areas with roadside barrier fencing, were used by reptiles. Lacertid lizards (Lacerta spp. and Podarcis spp.) and ophidians (snakes and legless lacertids) were recorded in circular culverts (lacertids: 1.49 crossings/day/structure, ophidians: 0.03), adapted culverts (1, 0.5), and open-span underpasses (0.07, 0.07). Lacertid lizards were also recorded in wildlife underpasses (0.86 crossings/day/structure). A total of 64 underpasses and culverts (30–150 m long) under a 72 km section of motorway were monitored. These included 33 circular drainage culverts (2 m diameter), 10 wildlife-adapted box culverts (2–3 m wide, 2 m high), 14 open-span underpasses (rural tracks/paths, 4–9 m wide, 4–6 m high) and seven wildlife underpasses (20 m wide, 5–7 m high). The motorway was barrier-fenced. Animal tracks were monitored over 10 days in June–September 2002 using marble dust (1 m wide across).

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)
Install barrier fencing and underpasses along roads

A study in 2002 of a highway in Zamora, Spain (Mata et al. 2005; same experimental set-up as Mata et al. 2008) found that underpasses and culverts, in areas with roadside barrier fencing, were used by mammals. Circular culverts were used by hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus, garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus, badger Meles meles, common genet Genetta genetta and red fox Vulpes vulpes. Adapted (enlarged) culverts were used by red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, badger and red fox. Open-span underpasses were used by hedgehog, badger, red fox and red deer Cervus elaphus. Wildlife underpasses were used by hedgehog, badger, common genet and red fox. Crossings were also used by rodents and shrews, rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, Iberian hare Lepus granatensis, weasel Mustela nivalis, European wildcat Felis silvestris and wolf Canis lupus (see paper for details). Sixty-four underpasses/culverts (30–150 m long) under a 72-km section of motorway were monitored. These included 33 circular drainage culverts (2 m diameter), 10 wildlife-adapted box culverts (2–3 m wide, 2 m high), 14 open-span underpasses (rural tracks/paths, 4–9 m wide, 4–6 m high) and seven wildlife underpasses (20 m wide, 5–7 m high). The motorway was barrier-fenced. Animal tracks were monitored over 10 days in June–September 2002 using marble dust (1-m-wide cross). Camera traps verified species identifications in some underpasses.

(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)