Integration of ecoduques in road network of Ukraine for biodiversity conservation

published:
Number: Issue 21(2020)
Section: Environmental protection technologies
The page spacing of the article: 86-94
Keywords: road, biodiversity, landscape fragmentation, transport infrastructure, ecoduct, landscape, fragmentation
How to quote an article: Svitlana Matus, Anatolii Morozov, Tetiana Morozova, Inessa Rutkovska, Victoriia Khrutba Integration of ecoduques in road network of Ukraine for biodiversity conservation // Dorogi і mosti [Roads and bridges]. – 2020. – Iss. 21. – P. 86-94. [in Ukrainian].

Authors

National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5596-6193
National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7832-4222
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3678-0283
National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4836-1035
National Transport University, Kyiv, Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8121-2042

Summary

Introduction. One of the fundamental environmental principles ― prevention and remedy of environmental damage. According to the principle, in case if the environmental damage cannot be eliminated, it should be mitigated (or minimized), restrained and eliminated as soon as possible.

Problem statement. Landscape fragmentation is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity conservation. It is the result of a change in land use, in particular the integration of transport infrastructure into the landscape, that leads to loss and degradation of habitats, pollution, changed microclimate and hydrological conditions, increased human activity in adjacent territories, animal mortality (or kills) on roads. In addition, roads create barriers that can isolate (wildlife) populations and lead to significant reduction in numbers of wildlife populations. Thus, there is a need for analysis of methodological approaches that, with taking into account current trends and foreign experience, will minimize the anthropopressing (or negative impact) of transport infrastructure on the wildlife. 

Purpose. Implementation of ecoducts in transport infrastructure through which fauna can cross roads without risk of killing (або mortality). This allows some representatives of fauna to expand their areas and move between sectors where they can obtain vital necessary resources, and also supports the distribution and migration of individuals between different population centers.

Materials and methods. The main research methods are the application of theoretical general scientific approaches for the study of urban development objects: analysis and synthesis of international and domestic scientific and theoretical works, EU documentation(charters, design requirements), Ukrainian regulatory framework, literary sources; collecting and analyzing statistics to identify the dangers of the impact of road infrastructure on biodiversity and to determine the value of the natural landscape of an eco-education area.

Results. The results of the work are the main methodological approaches and practical recommendations. They are, if we consider the integration of wildlife requirements at the planning stage of infrastructure development, ― the best and easiest way to develop cost-effectiveness solutions. This will contribute to the defragmentation of habitats and biodiversity conservation.

Conclusion. Ecoducts (wildlife crossing)are one of the tools to prevent excessive landscape fragmentation caused by transport infrastructure. They contribute to defragmentation of habitats in case of correct planning, installation in the right places, considering the needs of all vulnerable species, organic interference in the landscape. All this in turn contributes to their relevance. The measures are the elements of green infrastructure, the extension of which is recommended by the European Union.

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