Using Passive Infrared Trail Cameras to Characterize Baseline Conditions for Wildlife Crossing Design Acknowledgments Funding provided by King County Department of Transportation. This project would not have been possible without support from our management (Wally Archuleta, Howard Haemmerle, and former supervisor Ronda Strauch) and project manager Mike O’Neil. Additional thanks to Michael MacDonald and Kelly McAllister (WSDOT), Jeff Gagnon (AZGFD), Bjørn Iuell (Senior Environmental Advisor at Statkraft), Jennifer Vanderhoof (King County DNRP), Russell Link (WDFW), and Chris Haas (SWCA) for invaluable suggestions and support. Todd A. Martin, Wildlife Biologist, King County Department of Transportation Abstract Wildlife crossing structures are intended to increase permeability and habitat connectivity across roads in addition to creating a safer environment for the traveling public. Few studies have assessed the successful usage of these mitigation measures in areas along urban/rural growth boundaries with local populations of wildlife. Species present, population size, and frequency of occurrence throughout the project area determine whether or not wildlife populations are affected. A before-and-after impact study is one way of assessing whether or not a stressor (a new roadway) has changed the environment and to determine which components (wildlife) are adversely affected. Methods In November 2008, to characterize and collect baseline wildlife data, six passive infrared cameras (Figure 2) were systematically placed along active wildlife trails, which cross or are adjacent to the projected centerline of the new roadway. Cameras were placed on each side of the future wildlife crossing and along nearby guideways. Results of Baseline Monitoring As of February 2011, cameras have been triggered 1,728 times by a total of 11 species of mammals. Of this total, 78% of photos have been black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), the species most frequently involved in damaging animal-vehicle collisions in the project area (Figure 3). This finding reaffirmed the need for constructing an alternative route for these animals to travel besides crossing the roadway at grade. Study Area The King County Department of Transportation is actively trying to improve the permeability of roadways for wildlife through the Novelty Hill Road corridor (Figure 1), an arterial in northwestern King County, Washington. As part of the project, a new connector road will be constructed between two existing arterials. The connector road, 195th Ave NE, will bisect currently utilized wildlife habitat, which consists of second-growth mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, open scrub grasslands, pasturelands, and wetland and riparian areas. To aid in mitigating for this new road, a wildlife underpass, in conjunction with a stream crossing, will be constructed beneath the new segment of 195th Ave NE. Post-construction Monitoring and Calculation of Passage Rates Once the wildlife crossing and associated wildlife fencing is constructed, King County will evaluate if the wildlife crossing structure and ancillary features (exclusionary fencing, guideways, and vegetative plantings) are successful in funneling local wildlife to the structure for safe passage. Passive infrared cameras will continue to collect post- construction data to determine effectiveness of the crossing structure (once constructed), species richness and composition, and animals' behavior when approaching and crossing through the structure. Data gathered post-construction will have the opportunity to guide future wildlife crossing design. Post-construction monitoring of wildlife crossing structures is an integral part of evaluating whether the target species are using the crossings, as well as learning from the observed behavior of the animals as they approach and either use or do not use the crossing. Passage rate will be determined by the following equation: # use underpass/ # approach underpass (Figure 4). An “approach” will be classified when wildlife come within 25m of the entrance of the underpass and show movement towards the underpass. This movement shows intent of using the structure. A “use” will be calculated if the animal successfully traverses through the structure. Figure 2. Pre-construction Habitat, Future 195th Ave NE Roadway Alignment, Trail Camera Locations, Future Wildlife Underpass Location and Existing Stensland Creek Alignment Black-tailed Deer per Camera Location (data from 2009-11-29 to 2011-01-31) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 Camera 1 Camera 2 Camera 3 Camera 4 Camera 5 Camera 6 Image courtesy of Reconyx Figure 1. Project Area Figure 3. Black-tailed Deer per Camera Location Figure 4. Passage Rate Equation Bobcat with Eastern Gray Squirrel in Mouth Large Black-tailed Deer Buck Three Black-tailed Deer Fawns Coyote Black-tailed Deer Doe Raccoon Standing on Hind Legs
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Using Passive Infrared Trail Cameras to Characterize Baseline Conditions for Wildlife Crossing Design
AcknowledgmentsFunding provided by King County Department of Transportation. This project would not have been possible without support fromour management (Wally Archuleta, Howard Haemmerle, and former supervisor Ronda Strauch) and project manager Mike O’Neil. Additional thanks to Michael MacDonald and Kelly McAllister (WSDOT), Jeff Gagnon (AZGFD), Bjørn Iuell (Senior Environmental Advisor at Statkraft), Jennifer Vanderhoof (King County DNRP), Russell Link (WDFW), and Chris Haas (SWCA) for invaluable suggestions and support.
Todd A. Martin, Wildlife Biologist, King County Department of TransportationAbstractWildlife crossing structures are intended to increase permeability and habitat connectivity across roads in addition to creating a safer environment for the traveling public. Few studies have assessed the successful usage of these mitigation measures in areas along urban/rural growth boundaries with local populations of wildlife. Species present, population size, and frequency of occurrence throughout the project area determine whether or not wildlife populations are affected. A before-and-after impact study is one way of assessing whether or not a stressor (a new roadway) has changed the environment and to determine which components (wildlife) are adversely affected.
MethodsIn November 2008, to characterize and collect baseline wildlife data, six passive infrared cameras (Figure 2) were systematically placed along active wildlife trails, which cross or are adjacent to the projected centerline of the new roadway. Cameras were placed on each side of the future wildlife crossing and along nearby guideways.
Results of Baseline MonitoringAs of February 2011, cameras have been triggered 1,728 times by a total of 11 species of mammals. Of this total, 78% of photos have been black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), the species most frequently involved in damaging animal-vehicle collisions in the project area (Figure 3). This finding reaffirmed the need for constructing an alternative route for these animals to travel besides crossing the roadway at grade.
Study AreaThe King County Department of Transportation is actively trying to improve the permeability of roadways for wildlife through the Novelty Hill Road corridor (Figure 1), an arterial in northwestern King County, Washington. As part of the project, a new connectorroad will be constructed between two existing arterials. The connector road, 195th Ave NE, will bisect currently utilized wildlife habitat, which consists of second-growth mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, open scrub grasslands, pasturelands, and wetland and riparian areas. To aid in mitigating for this new road, a wildlife underpass, in conjunction with a stream crossing, will be constructed beneath the new segment of 195th Ave NE.
Post-construction Monitoring and Calculation of Passage RatesOnce the wildlife crossing and associated wildlife fencing is constructed, King County will evaluate if the wildlife crossing structure and ancillary features (exclusionary fencing, guideways, and vegetative plantings) are successful in funneling local wildlife to the structure for safe passage. Passive infrared cameras will continue to collect post-construction data to determine effectiveness of the crossing structure (once constructed), species richness and composition, and animals' behavior when approaching and crossing through the structure. Data gathered post-construction will have the opportunity to guide future wildlife crossing design.
Post-construction monitoring of wildlife crossing structures is an integral part of evaluating whether the target species are using the crossings, as well as learning from the observed behavior of theanimals as they approach and either use or do not use the crossing. Passage rate will be determined by the following equation: # useunderpass/ # approach underpass (Figure 4). An “approach” will be classified when wildlife come within 25m of the entrance of the underpass and show movement towards the underpass. This movementshows intent of using the structure. A “use” will be calculated if the animal successfully traverses through the structure.
Figure 2. Pre-construction Habitat, Future 195th Ave NE Roadway Alignment, Trail Camera Locations, Future Wildlife Underpass Location
and Existing Stensland Creek Alignment
Black-tailed Deer per Camera Location (data from 2009-11-29 to 2011-01-31)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Camera 1 Camera 2 Camera 3 Camera 4 Camera 5 Camera 6
Image courtesy of Reconyx
Figure 1. Project Area
Figure 3. Black-tailed Deer per Camera Location Figure 4. Passage Rate Equation
Bobcat with Eastern Gray Squirrel in Mouth Large Black-tailed Deer Buck
Three Black-tailed Deer Fawns
Coyote Black-tailed Deer Doe Raccoon Standing on Hind Legs
Related Documents
