critical essay
by: Santiago Gutierrez
The document titled "From roadkill to road ecology: A review of the ecological effects of roads" by
Alisa W. Coffin provides a comprehensive overview of the ecological impact of roads on
ecosystems. The paper discusses the direct and indirect ecological effects of roads, including their
impact on abiotic and biotic components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It also highlights the
emergence of the science of "Road Ecology" and the increasing attention given to the unintended
ecological effects of roads.
The paper emphasizes that roads have a wide variety of ecological effects, including the destruction
and removal of existing ecosystems, reconfiguration of local landforms, and fragmentation of
habitats. It also discusses the impact of roads on wildlife populations, including road-related
mortality, population fragmentation, and behavioral changes in animals. Furthermore, the paper
addresses the cumulative ecological effects of roads on landscapes and the role of transportation
planners in analyzing and predicting these effects.
One of the key findings of the paper is the significant impact of road-related mortality on vertebrate
populations, surpassing hunting as a cause of mortality in the United States. The paper highlights
the specific impact on various species, such as the Florida panther, black bear, key deer, American
crocodile, and West Indian manatee, emphasizing the need for mitigation efforts to reduce roadkill
rates.
The paper also discusses the behavioral changes in animals near roads, including avoidance
behavior and modifications in response to road-related disturbance. It emphasizes the importance of
understanding the spatial arrangement of resources and the temporal patterns of roadkill to mitigate
vehicle-wildlife collisions effectively.
Furthermore, the paper addresses the broader scale effects of roads on landscape connectivity,
habitat fragmentation, and the influence of road network structure on cumulative ecological effects.
It suggests the potential for collaboration between road ecologists and transportation geographers to
advance the understanding of the dynamic between road systems and landscapes.
In conclusion, the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the ecological effects of roads,
emphasizing the need for further research and mitigation efforts to lessen the negative ecological
impact of roads on the environment. It also highlights the potential for collaboration between
different disciplines, such as road ecology and transportation geography, to advance the
understanding of road network interactions and their ecological effects.
