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原文传递 Elk Movements Associated with a High-Traffic Highway: Interstate 17.

题名：	Elk Movements Associated with a High-Traffic Highway: Interstate 17.
作者：	Boe, S.; Dodd, N. L.; Gagnon, J. W.; Loberger, C.; Nelson, R.; Schweinsburg, R. E.; Sprague, S.
关键词：	Animal Movements; Deer; Elk; Fencing; Geographic Information Systems; Habitat; Highways; Interstate Highway 17; Permeability; Traffic Volume; Vehicle Animal Crossings; Wildlife Passage Crossings; Wild
摘要：	The authors evaluated wildlife-highway relationships from 2007 to 2010 along a 46-mi stretch of Interstate 17 (I-17) in north-central Arizona (MP 294.340). This highway had an average annual daily traffic (AADT) volume of 16,100 vehicles/day during the study. The specific objectives of this research project were to: (1) Assess elk movements, highway crossing patterns, and distribution, and determine permeability. (2) Investigate spatial and temporal relationships of elk crossings and distribution to traffic volume. (3) Investigate spatial and temporal wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) patterns and traffic relationships. (4) Investigate elk crossings and WVC in relation to riparian-meadow habitats. (5) Develop recommendations to reduce WVC and promote highway permeability. The research team instrumented 71 elk (Cervus elaphus) with GPS receiver collars along I-17. Elk crossed the highway 912 times and had a mean passage rate of 0.09 crossings/approach. Compared to other Arizona highways with lower AADT, I-17 was a significant barrier to elk passage. Passage rates were significantly higher along stretches with wide medians and near the Munds Canyon Bridge. In total, 395 WVC were analyzed, and an average of 79.0 elk-vehicle collisions occurred each year. Traffic volume influenced elk distribution, permeability, and WVC patterns. Proximity to riparian-meadow habitats also influenced elk crossing, approach, and WVC locations. The team recommended 17 wildlife passage structures and ungulate-proof fencing along the length of I-17 to reduce WVC and promote permeability, largely validating the recommendations in the draft environmental assessment (DEA).
报告类型：	科技报告