Understanding the Ecological Impacts of Roads on Wildlife: A Focus on the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, India

The expansion of road networks poses significant challenges to wildlife, particularly in biodiversity-rich areas like the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Tamil Nadu, India. This study examines the impact of roads on wildlife within the MTR by analyzing roadkill data across three road segments: an interstate highway, a state highway, and a secondary road. Over ten months of surveys, a total of ۳۴۳ roadkills were recorded, encompassing ۴۲ species, with reptiles (۳۰.۳۲%) and amphibians (۲۷.۴۱%) being the most affected taxa. The interstate highway segment exhibited the highest number of roadkills, particularly for reptiles and amphibians. Roadkill frequency was higher in Dry Deciduous Forest habitats compared to Dry Thorn Forests. The Three-striped Palm Squirrel, Jungle Babbler, and Garden Lizard were identified as the most susceptible species within their respective taxa. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted mitigation measures, such as wildlife crossings and speed restrictions, to reduce road-related wildlife mortality in the MTR and similar landscapes across India.

کلیدواژه ها:

Habitat types ، Hotspots ، Road mortality ، Roadkill patterns ، Wildlife conservation