Road ecology
Road ecology is the study of the
The design, construction and management of
Road ecology is practiced as a field of inquiry by a variety of ecologists, biologists,
Air quality
Roads can have both negative and positive effects on air quality.
The construction of new roads which divert traffic from populated areas can deliver a perceived improvement in air quality in the original area. However, new roads will typically lead to more overall emissions due to induced demand.[17] The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study carried out for the development of the Tirana Outer Ring Road estimated that it would result in improved air quality in Tirana city center.[18]
A new section of road being built near
Hydrology
De-icing chemicals
The chemicals applied to roads along with grit for
An increased level of chloride in water due to salt application to roads can be widespread in waterways, rather than a local phenomenon of the road edge itself.[27]
Noise
Motor vehicle traffic on roads will generate noise, in a wide range of frequencies which can affect both humans and animals.
Negative effects
Noise pollution is a factor of environmental degradation that is often overlooked and typically seen as not having a significant effect, though traffic noise can contribute to numerous disturbances for wildlife. An increasing number of studies have been done on the effects of noise on wildlife. Both the sounds made by motors and the wind over moving vehicle structures, and the ultrasonic vibrations transmitted through the air and ground from vehicle passage can overlap with the frequency ranges and amplitudes used by animals for communication.[32][33][34]
Several studies revealed that noise can have a negative effect, particularly on birds. Noise from major roads can interrupt or interfere with the calls of song birds, and their instinctive calls associated with mating, communication, migration, and other purposes are hindered by noise from roads. Birds in cities that are exposed to traffic noise sing higher-frequency songs which increases the amplitude of their songs so that they are more likely to be heard over the noise.
Road noise can be a nuisance if it impinges on population centres, especially for roads at higher operating speeds, near intersections and on uphill sections.
Positive effects
New roads can divert traffic away from population centres thus relieving the noise pollution. A new road scheme planned in Shropshire, UK promises to reduce traffic noise in Shrewsbury town centre.[41][needs update]
Effects on wildlife
Habitat fragmentation
Roads can act as barriers or filters to animal movement and lead to
Habitat fragmentation may also divide large continuous populations into smaller more isolated populations.[42] These smaller populations are more vulnerable to genetic drift, inbreeding depression and an increased risk of population decline and extinction.[43] Whether or not this effect is observed depends greatly on the size and mobility of the species in question and the spatial scale at which the fragmentation occurs.[45] Fragmentation does not affect all species in the same way.
The presence of roads also decreases the amount of habitat accessible to species. This is to say that it decreases the amount of usable habitat available to organisms without crossing a road. That being said, whether a habitat on the other side of the road becomes inaccessible to an organism or not varies between species. Roads are a permeable barrier to some organisms and impermeable to others.[46]
Amphibians and reptiles
Roads can be particularly hazardous to populations of amphibians and reptiles that migrate to vernal pools,[47] or to the gravel on road verges that several species try to use as nest sites.[48] Reptiles' instinctive activities can lead them towards roads and lead to an increase in mortality rates: snakes, for example, may use roads as a source of heat for thermoregulation. Also some turtles have been noted to lay their eggs on road shoulders. Migratory patterns from season to season can also bring frogs and snakes into contact with roads and lead to an increase in their mortality rates.[36]
Birds
The traffic load near large cities may show dramatic cyclical changes induced by weekend tourism, and this could induce cyclical changes in the activity patterns of birds.[49] Road implantation may also lead birds to avoid certain sites, as they are seen as being less habitable (because of increases in noise and chemical pollution). Certain bird populations may then become confined into smaller habitable sites, leading to an increase in possibility of extinction caused by illness or habitat perturbation.[50]
Facilitation of poaching of flora and fauna
Roads that run through forests that house edible animals may encourage or facilitate poaching. Especially in poor areas, the construction of roads has promoted not only poaching for personal consumption but also for sale (for consumption or as a pet) to third parties.[citation needed]
Similarly, the construction of roads in forested areas has also promoted illegal logging as it becomes easier for illegal loggers to transport the wood.[51]
Mitigation efforts
Awareness
Awareness needs to be spread among drivers particularly those driving on forest road on maintaining speed limits and being vigilant. Environment Conservation Group had initiated an awareness drive named PATH an acronym for Provide Animals safe Transit on Highways[52] covering more than 17,000 km in India to highlighting the importance of safe driving on forest roads.[53]
Road permeability
Habitat construction and planting
In Washington County, North Carolina, along Highway 64, a study was conducted to analyze the effects of wildlife underpasses on the local wildlife. Three wildlife underpasses were built with fencing around the highway in the study zones. The study showed that deer used the underpasses the most and made up 93% of all crossings. Mortality rates were calculated and showed that the numbers of deaths were lower near underpasses. This cannot be said about all animals. Some have smaller home ranges so they were not inclined to travel to underpasses to cross the road. Underpass would most likely benefit larger mammals such as bears, deer, and cougars. Underpasses were seen to lower mortality rates and increase local species ability to adapt to a habitat along a major road.[55]
Structural elements such as fencing or walls along road bridges can encourage birds and bats to fly higher over roads or underneath bridges, which lowers the chances of vehicle collisions.[56] Some animals, such as birds, are more vulnerable to disturbances during certain periods of the year, such as the breeding season.[56]
Recycling
Materials removed from a road can be reused in construction within the same project[57] or in other locations. Road construction can also use waste materials from other industries.
Asphalt pavement is one of the most recycled materials in the United States. It is estimated that over 80% of asphalt pavement removed from roadways is reused as construction aggregate. It can be mixed into new pavement or used as a subbase or fill material. Similarly, concrete from road or building demolition can be an excellent source of aggregate.[58]
Common examples of waste products used in road building include coal
In 2012, US asphalt plants used an estimated 68.3 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement, 1.86 million tons of recycled asphalt shingles, and over 1 million tons of other recycled materials to produce new asphalt.[59]
See also
- Acoustic ecology
- Anthropocene
- Congestion pricing
- Environmental effects of cars
- Environmental effects of transport
- Environmental effects of trucks
- Habitat fragmentation
- Low-emission zone
- Motor vehicle emissions
- Roads as extraction route for mines
- Population fragmentation
- Second-hand vehicle dumping
- Railroad ecology
- Rubberized asphalt
- Synanthrope
- Transport and the environment
- Wildlife crossing
- Wildland-urban interface
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