Mitigation measures for highway-caused impacts to birds

Abstract

Highways cause significant impacts to birds in four ways: direct mortality, indirect mortality, habitat fragmentation, and disturbance. In this paper I discuss highway-related impacts, and suggest solutions from a highway management perspective. Non-flying birds (either behaviorally or structurally) such as gallinaceous birds and ducklings; waterbirds such as terns; owls; ground-nesters; scavengers; Neotropical overwater migrants; frugivorous birds; and birds attracted to salt are often killed from highway-related causes. Suggested solutions include highway crossing structures, diversion poles on bridges or medians, modified right-of-way mowing regimes, road kill removal, appropriate median vegetation, and modified deicing agents. Indirect mortalities caused by highway construction or maintenance include habitat loss and decreased quality; predator attraction or bridges to nesting habitat; increased incidence of invasive species; increased associated lethal structures; and maintenance practices that disrupt reproduction. Suggested solutions include highway management strategies that consider avian needs.

Parent Publication

• Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 and 2

Citation

Jacobson, Sandra L. Mitigation measures for highway-caused impacts to birds. In: Ralph, C. John; Rich, Terrell D., editors. 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 2 Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. Albany, CA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 1043-1050