Ecological Effects of Roads: The Land Reconstruction and Management PDF

Preface

The ecological effects of roads and traffic are of the same magnitude and importance as any of the topical environmental issues, for example losses in biological diversity and the ecological damage and economic costs caused by invasive and exotic species. However, this fact is not well known among environmental managers and ecologists. It is for this reason that this book was written for the Series 'Land Reconstruction and Management'.

There are many ways to reduce the ecological effects of roads and traffic and many ways to compensate for the loss of habitats due to road construction. Ecological impact assessments play an important role when planning a new road. Planting roadside verges with indigenous species can help to compensate for losses of plant communities. Perhaps the most courageous step would be a government proposal for closure of some roads in wilderness areas. Surely, in future, such proposals will become a reality.

This book commences with an overview on roads and traffic (Chapter 1) and then outlines the ecology of roads (Chapter 2). Thus the first two chapters set the scene for those that follow.

Chapter 3 deals with the biology of roads and roadside verges, the plants and animals associated with roads and whether roadside verges contribute to the conservation of nature.

Chapters 4, 5 and 6 describe the effects of roads and traffic. Habitat fragmentation, barriers and corridors are dealt with in Chapter 4 while the physical and chemical effects of roads and traffic are described in Chapter 5. The mortality of animals on roads is discussed in Chapter 6. Manner and means of reducing adverse effects are reviewed at the end of each chapter.

Methods for avoiding, remedying and mitigating the adverse effects of roads on the environment, habitats, and plants and animals are introduced in Chapter 7.

The ecology of roads in future is envisioned in Chapter 8.

Three appendices at the end of the book provide the following information: I -definition of terms; 11-the process and contents of ecological impact assessments; and III-examples of ecological assessments.

Obviously then, this book is a practical guide to the general issues and their solutions. It does not provide all the answers but presents many of the challenges surrounding the ecological effects of roads and traffic. Concomitantly, it raises the profile of the importance of these effects. Towards this objective, the ecological effects of roads are sometimes discussed in the broader context of road culture and road users.

Over the last decade of researching the ecological effects of roads and traffic, I compiled a collection of quotes that seem to demonstrate an evolution of thought and a changing culture towards roads and their benefits and costs.

Author: Ian F. Spellerberg