Source link : https://earth-news.info/general/crossings-how-road-ecology-is-shaping-the-future-of-our-planet/
As urban expansion and infrastructure development continue to fragment natural habitats, a new field known as road ecology is emerging at the intersection of environmental science and transportation planning. “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet” explores how innovative designs and ecological approaches to roadways are helping to preserve biodiversity, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and foster connectivity across ecosystems. In this report for Living on Earth, we examine the challenges and cutting-edge solutions that could redefine how humans and wildlife coexist on a rapidly changing planet.
The Role of Wildlife Crossings in Preserving Biodiversity and Reducing Roadkill
Wildlife crossings serve as critical lifelines, reconnecting fragmented habitats and enabling animals to safely navigate human-made barriers like highways. These engineered structures-ranging from overpasses draped in native vegetation to subterranean tunnels-play a pivotal role in maintaining genetic diversity among wildlife populations by facilitating safe movement and migration. Without these crossings, roads act as deadly barriers, isolating animal groups and reducing their ability to adapt to changing environments, which ultimately threatens ecosystem resilience.
The impact of wildlife crossings extends beyond conservation efforts by markedly lowering vehicle-wildlife collisions, a leading cause of both animal fatalities and human injuries. Studies…
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Author : earthnews
Publish date : 2025-08-23 03:51:00
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