Wildlife crossings should be placed with climate change in mind, which can help migrating animals dealing with shifting landscapes and resources, a new study says.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment finds that models can predict how wildlife migration patterns will shift in the future. Considering climate change in the construction of wildlife crossings over roads and highways would maximize their benefits, the study asserts.
“There’s all kinds of reasons why climate change is scrambling norms for where and when animals access resources,” said Matt Skroch, an author of the study and director of U.S. conservation at The Pew Charitable Trusts. “So movement and migration is more important than ever as an adaptation strategy for climate change.”
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that there are more than 1 million vehicle collisions involving wildlife each year. Wildlife road crossings improve driver safety, reduce wildlife mortality and reconnect habitats, but their potential for supporting ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change has been overlooked, Skroch said.
