Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

For many decades the increase in traffic volume, expansion of highways and infrastructure has lead to an increase of wildlife vehicle collisions which are unfortunately very common in many countries today. They cause great deal of material damage and even kill humans or wildlife. Measures in the form of warning signs, under- and overpasses and fencing have been implemented for a long time with the help of observation by hunters and collisions sites. However this study focuses on the moose’s perspective and the variables that, both spatially and temporally, could have an effect on why and when moose are close to certain types of roads. By equipping 50 moose (Alces alces) with GPS (global position system) collars and then analyze the positions in GIS (geographic information system) it was possible to create models that could predict where and when moose are closer to roads.
The results revealed no evidence that moose are closer to smaller roads, instead an increase of moose close to railroads appeared and also avoidance of larger roads such as major highways, highways and county roads. No evidence was found that moose are close to roads at any specific times during the day, but over the year the moose density close to roads increases for an inland population from December to May and for a coastal population July to November.
With more exact information on moose natural movements in a given area authorities can take earlier preventative measures before collisions occur such as seasonal warning signs, growing non-preferred vegetation close to road, higher embankments in certain areas and planning for under- and overpasses at the right location before new roads are being built.