Identificación especies de aves y mamíferos silvestres atropelladas y puntos vulnerables en la Carretera Interamericana Sur

Roads provide transportation and access routes for humans, but often have a high impact on wildlife. The effect of roads and vehicular traffic on wildlife habitat is far-reaching, affecting both the biotic and abiotic environment. Therefore, this project aims to determine the species of birds and mammals with the highest number of roadkills on Route 2 of the Interamerican Highway South, as well as the road segments where most wildlife accidents occur. For this purpose, the technique of direct sampling of mammals and birds run over will be used through two monthly counts. The sampling will be done by car at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour, in the early morning hours, in order to locate birds and mammals collided on the road and to identify the points along the route where most roadkill occurs. The study area will be 42.5 kilometers, in the transect that goes from El Empalme at kilometer 62.5 of the Interamerican Highway south to kilometer 105 in the town of Villa Mills on the Interamerican Highway south. At the end of the project, it is expected to have databases of birds and mammals that have been run over, maps with the location of hot spots and the predominant types of vegetation at run over sites. Another important activity to consider in any measure to mitigate the effects on wildlife is the dissemination of results through papers and articles, both informative and scientific. Finally, environmental education cannot be left out of an activity such as this. Therefore, informative infographics will also be developed and posted on social networks and podcasts to make the population aware of the problem and drive carefully in high-risk areas.

1. Biología Molecular, Interacciones Biológicas Complejas, Gestión Ambiental y Ecología