The bird and the road
At least in the UK, the species diversity of birds decreases the closer they are to a road. After analyzing data on 75 bird species, Cambridge ornithologists came to this conclusion. It was discovered that migratory, rare, and small species tended to stay away from highways. More widespread species take their place, impoverishing the entire community. The authors of the article urge action to lessen the harm that highways cause to ecosystems.
The Earth’s surface is covered in highways that total more than 64 million kilometers. According to experts, this number will only rise in the future. This poses a major danger to biodiversity since roads contribute to noise and pollution, as well as the fatalities of animals hit by moving vehicles. Sadly, little research has been done on how the transportation network affects natural ecosystems. Furthermore, very few nations consider roads to be an environmental threat.
With 80% of the country located less than a kilometer from the closest freeway, the UK has one of the densest road networks in the world.
The researchers examined data on bird species diversity that were gathered in 2,033 one-square-kilometer plots by volunteers during national surveys between 2012 and 2014. These were contrasted in relation to other types of roadways that were five kilometers away. The scientists also considered other elements that might have had an impact on bird populations, such as the amount and proportion of arable land, the amount of forest cover, air temperature, and rainfall.
It’s interesting to note that certain birds stayed away from primary thoroughfares but thrived near secondary thoroughfares. This suggests that although certain species can thrive in borderline habitats that arise around roadways, the negative effects of noise and pollution near major highways outweigh the positive effects.