Use of non-wildlife passages across a high speed railway by terrestrial vertebrates

Published source details Rodriguez A., Crema G. & Delibes M. (1996) Use of non-wildlife passages across a high speed railway by terrestrial vertebrates. Journal of Applied Ecology, 33, 1527-1540.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Install barriers and crossing structures along roads/railways Action Link
	Install overpasses over roads/railways Action Link
	Install overpasses over roads/railways Action Link
	Install tunnels/culverts/underpass under railways Action Link

Install barriers and crossing structures along roads/railways

A study in 1991–1992 along a high-speed railway through agricultural land in Castilla La Mancha, Spain (Rodriguez et al. 1996) found that culverts and underpasses not specifically designed for wildlife were used as crossings under the railway by reptiles, but that the addition of fencing did not affect crossing rates. Lizards and snakes were recorded making 112 crossings, or 7 crossings/100 passage-days on average across 15 underpasses and two overpasses. Reptiles preferred culverts 2 m wide and used culverts or underpasses more frequently than overpasses. Fencing did not significantly affect relative crossing rates (data presented as statistical model result). Reptile crossing rates were lower in autumn–early spring and varied with habitat types. Fifteen dry culverts and passages (e.g. small roads and two overpasses, 13–64 m long, 1.2–6.0 m wide, 1.2–3.5 m high) along a 25 km section of high-speed railway, were monitored. The railway was fenced with 2 m high wire netting in July 1991–March 1992. Tracks in sand were monitored at each passage for 15–22 days/month between September 1991 and July 1992.

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

A study in 1991–1992 along a high-speed railway within agricultural land in Castilla La Mancha, Spain (Rodriguez et al. 1996) found that two overpasses not designed for wildlife were used to cross the railway by reptiles. Lizards and snakes were recorded making a total of 112 crossings using two overpasses and 15 underpasses, 7 crossings/100 passage-days on average. Reptile use of overpasses was relatively lower than underpasses (results reported as model outputs, see original paper). Two overpasses (small roads) crossing a 25 km section of a high-speed railway were monitored. The railway was fenced with wire netting on both sides to limit access to the rails. To monitor animal tracks, a layer of sand (3 cm thick and 1 m wide), was put at one entrance to each overpass, and tracks were monitored for 15–22 days/month between September 1991 and July 1992.

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

A study in 1991–1992 along a high-speed railway within agricultural land in Castilla La Mancha, Spain (Rodriguez et al. 1996) found that two flyovers not designed for wildlife were used to cross the railway by small mammals, but not by deer or wild boar Sus scrofa. Small mammals were recorded, with data combined between two overpasses and 15 underpasses, 582 times (37/100 passage-days) and brown hare Lepus granatensis and European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, 89 times (5/100 passage-days). Tracks of four carnivore species, red fox Vulpes vulpes, wild cat Felis silvestris, common genet Genetta genetta and Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, were recorded. No deer or wild boar Sus scrofa were recorded using overpasses or underpasses. Two flyovers (small roads) crossing a 25-km section of a high-speed railway were monitored. Sand, 3 cm thick and 1 m wide, was put at one entrance to each. Animal tracks were monitored for 15–22 days/month between September 1991 and July 1992.

(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
Install tunnels/culverts/underpass under railways

A study in 1991–1992 along a high-speed railway through agricultural land in Castilla La Mancha, Spain (Rodriguez et al. 1996) found that culverts and underpasses not specifically designed for wildlife were used as crossings under the railway by a range of mammals. Small mammals were recorded in culverts/underpasses (and two overpasses) 582 times (37 crossings/100 passage-days) and brown hare Lepus granatensis and European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 89 times (5 crossings/100 passage-days). Tracks of four carnivore species, red fox Vulpes vulpes, wild cat Felis silvestris, common genet Genetta genetta and Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, were recorded. No deer or wild boar Sus scrofa used passages. Rabbit and hare crossing rates were not affected by underpass design, vegetation cover at entrances or distance from scrubland. Small mammals preferred culverts ≤2 m wide. Fencing did not significantly affect relative crossing rates. Fifteen dry culverts and passages (e.g. small roads and two flyovers, 13–64 m long, 1.2–6.0 m wide, 1.2–3.5 m high) along a 25-km section of high-speed railway, were monitored. Tracks in sand were monitored at each passage for 15–22 days/month between September 1991 and July 1992. The railway was fenced with 2-m-high wire netting in July 1991–March 1992.

(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)