Road Ecology and Power Line Ecology: Similarities and Differences
摘要
Power line impacts on biodiversity are an emerging topic and have received far less attention than road ecology, despite their pervasive presence in landscapes. In this chapter, we compare roads and power lines regarding their global extent, the main structural features that drive their impacts on biodiversity, some effect-zone issues, and shortly review the similarities and differences in five categories of impact on biodiversity: attractiveness, wildlife mortality, barrier or filter effect, corridor effect, and changes in habitat quality. We synthesize these impacts on biodiversity with some specific examples whenever possible. We then identify some knowledge gaps that should be explored in future studies. A better understanding of the comparative, cumulative, and synergic impacts of road and power line right-of-way (RoWs) is needed, from individual responses to populations, communities, and ecosystem services. Identification of the extent and intensity of the effect zone for power lines and the barrier effect are required when roads and power lines are installed in parallel. There is no good understanding of anthropogenic versus nonanthropogenic mortality and their repercussions on the wildlife population’s viability. Studies that monetize the consequences of wildlife–vehicle collisions and collision and electrocutions on power lines and cost–benefit analyses of mitigation measures implementation are necessary. The indirect deforestation effect from new infrastructure installation and operation in tropical regions has still not been evaluated in the case of power lines. Finally, we need to expand our knowledge on highly biodiverse developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the neotropics, where grid expansions are planned, affecting more remote and nearly pristine areas. Filling these gaps will facilitate better understanding of how biodiversity responds to road and power line impacts, resulting in the potential for more sustainable road and electric grids.