Animal habitat defragmentation: impacts on wildlife and humans in The Netherlands Road infrastructure exerts important effects on the quality and quantity of animal habitats. Animals are killed by road traffic and road "fragment" habitats, dividing wildlife populations into smaller and more isolated units. This may threaten species of animals who have to cross roads to meet their biological needs. This paper discusses the impacts of habitat defragmentation by restricting traffic on provincial and municipal roads in nature areas in The Netherlands. The study analysed both impacts on wildlife (habitat quality, noise levels in nature areas) and humans (passenger mobility, accessibility impacts, noise levels in residential areas, road safety). The study concludes that while habitat defragmentation has an important positive impact on the quality of animal habitats, traffic safety and noise levels in natural and residential areas at the local level, it has an important negative impact on accessibility: congestion levels and average travel times increase. A conclusion on the balance of impacts cannot yet be given in monetary terms. There is a very large uncertainty about bow large the negative and positive impacts are. Furthermore, the impacts on wildlife are difficult to express in monetary terms and have not been summed up here. On the basis of this study it is also too early to draw conclusions on the desirability of large-scale habitat defragmentation through restriction of road traffic on local roads. More research on alternative measures affecting habitat defragmentation and their relevant impacts (including costs and benefits) is necessary. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting