This document describes a senior research project conducted by Jorge Jamie Gomez at the University of North Florida to determine the efficacy of the UNF Eco-Road in reducing animal road mortalities. The study involved counting animal mortalities on the Eco-Road and an adjacent standard road from September 2011 to August 2012. The results showed that the rate of animal mortalities was significantly lower on the Eco-Road compared to the standard road, providing evidence that Eco-Roads can help reduce animal road deaths. However, future research is still needed to examine reducing mortalities of specific animal species.

1.
Senior
Seminar
Research
Project
University
of
North
Florida
Biology
Department
University
of
North
Florida
1
UNF
Dr.
Jacksonville,
Florida
32224
Jorge
Jamie
Gomez
Dr.
Anthony
Rossi
Determining
the
efficacy
of
the
University
of
North
Florida
Eco-­‐Road
to
reduce
animal
road
mortalities.

2. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
2
Determining
the
efficacy
of
the
University
of
North
Florida
Eco-­‐Road
to
reduce
animal
road
mortalities.
Abstract
The
effects
of
roadways
on
animal
populations
are
often
overlooked.
Initially
animal
road
mortalities
were
seen
as
an
indicator
of
animal
population
health
although
roads
have
been
a
problem
for
diversity
and
conservation
efforts
since
their
introduction
and
with
the
rapid
increase
in
automobile
use
they
are
now
more
detrimental
than
ever.
Effects
include
animal
vehicle
collisions
resulting
in
animal
mortality,
habitat
fragmentation,
chemical
pollution,
changes
in
hydrology
and
the
introduction
of
invasive
species.
With
such
alarming
rates
of
animal
mortality
on
roadways,
it
is
necessary
to
take
appropriate
measures
to
reduce
the
mortality
rate.
The
purpose
of
this
study
is
to
evaluate
the
efficacy
of
the
University
of
North
Florida
Eco-­‐road
at
reducing
animal
mortalities
on
the
Sawmill-­‐Slough
Preserve.
Animal
mortalities
were
counted
on
the
University
of
North
Florida
Eco-­‐road
and
on
an
adjacent
stretch
of
standard
roadway
two
days
per
week
from
September
2011
through
August
2012.
The
rate
of
animal
mortalities
on
the
UNF
Eco-­‐road
was
significantly
lower
than
that
of
the
standard
road.
Although
there
is
evidence
supporting
the
efficacy
of
the
Eco-­‐road,
future
studies
need
to
address
ways
to
reduce
animal
mortalities
of
specific
animal
species.
Introduction
An
often-­‐overlooked
aspect
affecting
biodiversity
are
roads.
Not
only
do
roads
reduce
biodiversity
but
they
also
reduce
usable
habitat,
just
as
importantly

3. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
3
they
cause
habitat
fragmentation
and
species
isolation
(Lode,
2000).
Interestingly,
Lode
(2000)
found
that
vehicles
release
an
array
of
toxic
pollutants
that
are
soluble
in
fatty
tissue
including
heavy
metals
that
accumulate
and
are
detrimental
to
the
fitness
of
animal
populations
by
specifically
affecting
the
reproductive
cycles.
Additionally
roads
may
facilitate
the
introduction
of
a
variety
of
invasive
species
into
a
habitat
(Hawbaker
et
al.,
2006).
Aside
from
the
effect
roads
have
on
animal
and
plant
populations,
they
also
alter
hydrologic
flows
including
an
increase
in
erosion
and
the
introduction
of
chemical
pollutants
caused
by
roads
when
intersecting
rivers
and
streams
(Forman
and
Alexander,
1998).
A
Study
by
Roe
et
al
(2009)
on
the
movement
of
water
turtles,
Chelodina
longicollis,
showed
that
a
single
wetland
was
not
the
minimum
habitat
of
C.
longicollis
and
that
in
some
instances
specimens
traveled
more
than
5.2
km
into
other
wetlands.
Roe
et
al
(2009)
also
showed
that
the
inter-­‐patch
networks
and
interactions
between
species
are
fundamentally
altered
by
wetland
degradation
and
segmentation.
Specifically,
local
population
dynamics
may
be
altered
when
roads
intersect
critical
resource
patches
because
they
reduce
inter-­‐patch
movements
of
individuals
that
would
disperse
in
order
to
exploit
interconnected
resource
patches
(Roe
et
al.,
2009).
In
a
study
by
Hawbaker
et
al
(2006)
it
was
shown
that
in
Wisconsin,
mean
patch
area
decreased
from
121
hectares
in
1937
to
only
20
hectares
in
1999.
Hawbaker
et
al
(2006)
also
showed
that
road
density
more
than
doubled
in
the
same
time
frame
form
1.7
Km
Km-­‐2
to
3.5
km
km-­‐2.
There
are
also
probable
genetic
consequences
due
to
the
fragmentation
of
habitats
from
road
construction
(Forman
and
Alexander,
1998
and
Lode,
2000).
Roads
cover
about
1%

4. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
4
of
North
America,
which
is
approximately
an
area
the
size
of
Austria
(Forman
and
Alexander,
1998).
It
has
been
documented
that
roads
can
aid
invasive
species,
for
example
in
New
York,
the
spread
of
the
invasive
plant,
Lythrum
salicaria,
was
facilitated
by
roadside
ditches
(Forman
and
Alexander,
2009).
While
birds,
insects,
amphibians
and
mammals
are
likely
to
be
crushed
by
automobiles,
small
animals,
such
as
worms,
are
almost
always
killed
by
automobiles
but
many
die
due
to
desiccation
on
the
road
surface
(Pickles,
1942).
High
road
mortality
rates
in
New
York
have
not
only
posed
an
increased
threat
to
local
amphibian
and
reptile
population
but
they
have
had
an
indirect
effect
on
the
safety
of
humans
using
the
roads
(Langen
et
al,
2006).
It
is
estimated
that
159,000
birds
and
633,00
mammals
die
in
the
Netherlands
every
year;
7
million
birds
in
Bulgaria;
5
million
frogs
and
reptiles
in
Australia
and
in
the
United
States
of
America
there
are
approximately
1
million
vertebrate
deaths
per
year
(Forman
and
Alexander,
1998).
Danger
to
motorist
and
pedestrians
presents
itself
when
motorist
have
to
inadvertently
swerve
in
order
to
avoid
a
collision
with
an
animal
(Langen
et
al,
2006).
Although
high
mortality
rates
on
highways
has
been
interpreted
as
sign
of
healthy
animal
populations,
high
numbers
of
road
animal
deaths
is
a
rising
concern
for
conservation
ecologists
(Langen
et
al.,
2006).
Species
that
have
high
mortalities
resulting
from
vehicle-­‐wildlife
collisions
are
populations
of
white-­‐tailed
deer
(Odocoileus
virginianus),
black
bears
(Usrus
americanus)
and
the
Florida
Panther
(Puma
concolor
coryi)
the
later
which
is
an
endangered
species
(Clevenger
et
al.,
2001).
It
is
believed
that
high
mortality
rates
for
amphibians
and
reptiles
occur

5. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
5
because
they
seek
out
roadways
to
raise
their
body
temperature
(Lange
et
al.,
2006).
Ways
to
reduce
the
high
numbers
of
animal
mortality
along
roads
includes
mitigation
fencing,
tunnels
and
bridges.
A
study
in
the
Banff
National
Park
in
Alberta,
Canada
showed
that
wildlife
mortalities
were
reduced
by
over
50%
after
mitigation
fencing
was
installed
despite
annual
increases
in
traffic
volume
(Clevenger
et
al.,
2001).
The
University
of
North
Florida
Eco-­‐Road
(UNFER)
has
two
features,
which
are
intended
to
reduce
animal
mortality
by
motor
vehicles.
The
two
features
of
the
UNFER
designed
to
reduce
animal
mortality
are
three
sections
of
tunnels
that
connect
both
sides
of
the
Saw
Mill
Slough
Preserves
that
are
separated
by
the
UNFER
and
mitigation
fencing
that
lines
the
length
of
the
road.
The
goal
of
the
current
study
is
to
monitor
road
mortality
using
the
techniques
of
Pickles
(1942),
Caro
et
al.
(2000),
Langen
et
al.
(2007)
and
Lode
(2000)
to
compare
the
ability
of
the
UNFER
to
reduce
animal
deaths
compared
to
an
adjacent
standard
roadway
referred
to
as
the
Loop
road
also
on
the
University
of
North
Florida
campus.
Materials
and
Methods
Two
stretches
of
road
completely
situated
on
the
UNF
campus
were
chosen
to
perform
the
animal
mortality
counts.
These
included
the
UNF
Eco-­‐road
as
well
as
an
adjacent
stretch
of
standard
road
referred
to
as
the
Loop
Road.
A
.33-­‐mile
section
of
road
was
selected
from
each
road.
Deceased
animals
were
counted
on
both
roads,
twice
a
week
and
recorded
at
approximately
the
same
time
of
day.
Animal
mortalities
were
classified
by
the
road
where
they
were
found
and
by
type

6. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
6
(vertebrate
or
invertebrate).
Data
was
analyzed
using
a
Chi-­‐Square
test
with
Yates’
correction.
Results
The
total
animal
counts
for
both
the
Eco-­‐road
and
the
Loop
Road
was
92
total
deceased
animals
with
34
on
the
Eco-­‐road
and
58
on
the
Loop
Road
(see
table
1).
Table
1
Total
number
of
deceased
animals
found.
Road
Count
Totals
Loop
and
Eco-­‐road
combined
totals
(Total=92)
Raccoon
4
Coleoptera
7
Toad/toad
35
Squirrel
3
Hymenoptera
3
Lizard
1
Armadillo
2
Odonoata
9
Unidentified
Vertebrate
5
Opossum
2
Orthoptera
1
Unidentified
Invertebrate
3
Turtle
3
Lepidoptera
1
Annelida
5
Bird
4
Eco-­‐road
(total=34)
Raccoon
1
Coleoptera
6
Toad/toad
13
Squirrel
1
Hymenoptera
1
Lizard
0
Armadillo
1
Odonoata
2
Snake
2
Opossum
2
Orthoptera
1
Unidentified
Vertebrate
2
Turtle
0
Lepidoptera
1
Unidentified
Invertebrate
1
Annelida
0
Bird
0
Loop
Road
(total=58)
Raccoon
3
Coleoptera
1
Toad/toad
22
Squirrel
2
Hymenoptera
2
Lizard
1
Armadillo
1
Odonoata
7
Snake
2
Opossum
0
Orthoptera
0
Unidentified
Vertebrate
3
Turtle
3
Lepidoptera
0
Unidentified
Invertebrate
2
Annelida
5
Bird
4

7. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
7
Total
number
of
animals
killed
on
the
Eco-­‐road
was
significantly
lower
than
the
number
of
deceased
animals
on
the
Loop
Road.
(χ2
=
6.272;
P
<
.025,
df
=
1).
In
every
month
that
count
data
was
analyzed,
the
number
of
deceased
animals
was
higher
on
the
Loop
Road
compared
to
the
Eco-­‐road
except
for
November
of
2011
(Figure
1).
Figure
1
Comparison
of
animal
mortality
on
the
Eco-­‐road
and
Loop
road.
Figure
1
Animal
mortality
on
both
roads
peaked
in
the
May,
which
may
coincide
with
spring
migration
patterns
or
the
passing
of
Tropical
Storm
Beryl,
which
Jul
Month - Year
Numberofdeadanimals
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Eco-road
Loop road
Sep
O
ct
N
ov
D
ec
M
ar
Apr
M
ay
Jun
Aug
2011 2012

8. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
8
dropped
a
large
amount
of
rain
resulting
in
animals
leaving
adjacent
habitats
to
seek
high
ground.
This
supposition
is
supported
by
the
dramatic
increase
in
amphibians.
These
trends
were
consistent
even
when
number
of
dead
animals
per
month
was
divided
by
the
number
of
sampling
days
(sampling
effort;
Figure
2).
Figure
2
Comparison
of
animal
mortality
on
the
Eco-­‐road
and
Loop
road
using
sampling
effort.
The
number
of
animal
mortalities
on
the
Eco-­‐road
was
significantly
lower
than
the
animal
mortality
rate
on
the
Loop
road
(Statistical
analysis;
Fig.3).
Jul
Month - Year
Numberofdeadanimals/days
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Eco-road
Loop road
Sep
O
ct
N
ov
D
ec
M
ar
Apr
M
ay
Jun
Aug
2011 2012

9. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
9
Figure
3
Statistical
comparison
of
animal
mortality
rates
of
the
Eco-­‐road
with
the
Loop
road.
Figure
3
Statistical
Analyses
shows
that
the
animal
mortality
rates
of
the
Eco-­‐road
are
significantly
lower
than
those
of
the
Loop
road
(χ2
=
6.272;
P
<
.025,
df
=
1).
Even
though
the
results
show
that
the
Eco-­‐road
is
lowering
the
mortality
rate
it
does
not
a
significant
trend
for
animal
type.
There
is
not
a
significant
difference
in
mortality
rates
between
invertebrates
and
vertebrates
on
either
road
(Contingency
table;
Fig.
3)
Numberofanimals
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Eco-road Loop road
2
= 6.272
df = 1
p < .025

10. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
10
Figure
4
2X2
contingency
table
comparison
of
animal
mortality
rates
of
invertebrates
and
invertebrates
on
both
roads
.
Figure
4
The
2X2
contingency
table
did
not
show
a
significant
difference
in
the
rates
of
invertebrate
mortality
rates
compared
to
vertebrate
mortality
rates
on
either
of
the
roads.
Discussion
The
use
of
tunnels
under
the
Eco-­‐road
is
an
effective
way
to
reduce
animal
mortality
rates.
This
is
especially
vital
to
protected
wildlife
areas
such
as
The
Sawmill
Slough
Preserve
on
the
University
of
North
Florida
campus.
According
to
Inbar
and
Mayer
(1999),
animal
mortality
is
a
serious
problem
to
species
such
as
Puma
corii
concolor,
Daspus
novemcinctus,
which
is
the
only
member
of
the
Vertebrates
Animal group
Numberofanimals
0
10
20
30
40
Eco-road
Loop road
Invertebrates
c2
=.4041
df = 1
p > 0.5 (NS)

11. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
11
Dasypodidae
found
in
the
US.
Connectivity
was
highly
altered
in
the
Sawmill
Slough
Preserve
by
the
construction
of
the
Eco-­‐road
and
the
break
in
connectivity
can
have
a
detrimental
effect
on
the
biota
(Roe
et
al,
2009).
These
problems
include
the
genetic
isolation
of
certain
species
(Forman
and
Alexander,
1998
and
Lode,
2000).
The
tunnels
and
mitigation
fencing
that
are
characteristics
of
the
University
of
North
Florida
Eco-­‐road
have
shown
significant
decreases
in
animal
road
mortality.
Since
the
results
support
the
use
of
eco-­‐roads,
it
should
be
considered
in
all
future
road
construction,
especially
in
areas
that
are
set
aside
for
conservation
such
as
state
and
national
parks.
The
results
of
the
this
study
are
consistent
with
the
results
of
a
study
done
in
the
Banff
national
Park
in
Alberta,
Canada
by
Clevenger
et
al,
(2001)
which
showed
that
the
used
mitigation
fencing
reduce
animal
road
mortalities.
Clevenger
et
al,
(2001)
also
provides
evidence
that
road
signs
are
functional
methods
for
reducing
animal
mortalities
on
roads.
This
approach
could
be
easily
implemented
on
existing
roads.
According
to
Inbar
and
Mayer
(1999)
there
appears
to
be
a
stronger
correlation
between
traffic
related
animal
mortalities
and
phenology
than
traffic
volume
thus
mitigation
fences,
tunnels
and
signage
should
be
taken
into
account
even
on
roads
that
are
considered
low
traffic
volume
roads.
Some
problems
that
need
to
be
addressed
with
the
study
include
the
faster
disappearance
of
carcasses
of
smaller
animals
compared
to
larger
animals
(Caro
et
al,
2000)
and
counts
are
not
as
accurate
when
they
are
performed
from
a
moving
automobile
compared
to
counts
done
while
walking
(Pickles,
1942).
In
conclusion
the
measures
taken
to
reduce
animal
mortalities
on
the
University
of
North
Florid

12. Jorge
J.
Gomez/Dr.Rossi
Eco
Road
Research
12
Eco-­‐road
have
been
shown
to
reduce
animal
road
mortalities
and
provided
evidence
that
supports
the
implementation
of
these
mechanisms
in
future
road
construction.
References
Adams,
C
E.
1983.
Road-­‐Killed
Animals
as
Resources
for
Ecological
Studies.
The
American
Biology
Teacher.
45(5):
256-­‐261.
Caro,
T
M,
Shargel,
J
A
and
Stoner,
C
J.
2000.
Frequency
of
Medium-­‐Sized
Mammal
Road
Kills
in
an
Agricultural
Landscape
in
California.
American
Midland
Naturalist.
144(2):
362-­‐369
Clevenger,
A
P,
Chruszcz.,
B
and
Gunson,
K
E.
2001.
Highway
Mitigation
Fencing
Reduces
Wildlife-­‐Vehicle
Collisions.
Wildlife
Society
Bulletin.
29(2):
646-­‐653
Forman
R
T
and
Alexander,
L
E.
1998.
Roads
and
Their
Major
Ecological
Effects.
Annual
Review
of
Ecology
and
Systematics.
29:
207-­‐231+C2.
Hawbaker,
T
J,
Radeloff
V
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