Abstract
In 1996, the Florida Department of Transportation investigated constructing an ecopassage--a wildlife barrier and underpass system--to reduce the high rates of animal mortality in Paynes Prairie, a biodiverse Florida State Preserve with two major highways crossing prime habitat. A 1.8-mile (2.9-km) ecopassage was constructed and a two-phase study investigated pre- and post-construction highway-related animal mortality and animal movement. The research has confirmed the need for--and proved the general effectiveness of--the Paynes Prairie ecopassage. Further details are provided in this article. (Author/publisher)