Testing �wildlife friendly� fence modifications to manage wildlife and livestock movements
项目名称: Testing �wildlife friendly� fence modifications to manage wildlife and livestock movements
摘要: Generally, fences along roadways serve as safety measures to humans from vehicular collisions with wildlife and livestock by containing animals in appropriate pastures and keeping them off roadways. However, fences can act as semi-permeable or complete barriers to wildlife movement. As a consequence, through landscape fragmentation, fences reduce landscape connectivity, impede resource selection, and in addition, are a direct cause of mortality in ungulates (e.g. pronghorn, elk, deer) and other species (e.g. sage-grouse). To combat these effects on wildlife, multiple fence modifications have been recommended by management agencies to either facilitate or deter wildlife and/or livestock from crossing fences. However, none of these �wildlife friendly� fence modifications have ever critically been tested for effectiveness. Further, there is not a clear understanding on the effects of fence densities on wildlife movements and on large scale connectivity. Agencies need effective approaches and tools to identify and prioritize locations to install �wildlife friendly� fencing when considering mitigation measures for wildlife movement at both small and large scales, all while keeping livestock in proper pastures. We have deployed 40 remote cameras in MT and ~50 cameras in AB to capture and process images of wildlife interacting with fencing. Standardized procedures across study sites allow us to collect uniform data on wildlife-fence interactions and assess wildlife and livestock use based on statistical procedures.
状态: Active
资金: 55,000
资助组织: Alberta Conservation Association - Lethbridge
管理组织: Montana Department of Transportation
项目负责人: Kline, Will
执行机构: University of Montana, Missoula
主要研究人员: Jakes, Andrew S
开始时间: 20180619
预计完成日期: 20200630
实际结束时间: 0
检索历史
应用推荐