Severe Conservation Risks of Roads on Apex Predators
Abstract The global expansion of road networks threatens apex predator conservation and ecosystem functioning. This occurs through wildlife-vehicle collisions, habitat loss and fragmentation, reduced genetic connectivity and increased poaching. We reviewed road impacts on 36 apex predator species and created a new index to assess their current vulnerability to roads. Our findings reveal all apex predators are currently exposed to road impacts. Five of the nine most vulnerable species occur in Asia, the sloth bear being the most severely affected. Critically endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and red wolf are severely affected by roads. Using a widely applicable novel index we assessed the potential impact of future roads on apex predators in three areas: the Brazilian Amazon, Africa, and Nepal. Proposed roads will have an impact on forest predators over the whole Brazilian Amazon. In Africa and Nepal, roads will fragment the distribution ranges of nine and seven apex predators, respectively. Roughly 500 protected areas will be intersected by roads, threatening core apex predator habitat. Therefore, we advocate the need for rigorous road development planning to apply effective mitigation measures as an urgent priority, and to avoid construction in wilderness areas and predator strongholds.