Abstract
Natural landscapes are increasingly under anthropogenic pressures, and concern about human impacts on wildlife populations is becoming particularly relevant in the case of natural areas affected by roads. The expansion of road networks is considered among the main factors threatening biodiversity due to their potential for disturbing natural ecosystems on large scales. Indeed, traffic noise pollution reduces the quantity and the quality of natural habitats, and umbrella species are frequently used as indicators of natural ecosystem health. In this sense, there is a variety of GIS-based ecological modeling tools that allow evaluation of the factors that influence species distributions in order to accurately predict habitat selection. In this study, we have combined the use of noise modeling tools and maximum entropy modeling (MaxEnt) to evaluate the relative importance of environmental variables for Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) nesting habitat selection within a mountainous forest in Spain. As a result, we found that spatial negative influence of roads on wildlife due to road traffic disturbance may have been traditionally overestimated when it has been inferred from distance measurements of wildlife behavior in road surroundings instead of from considering road traffic noise level exposure. In addition, we found a potential risk threshold for cinereous vulture breeding around roads, which ties in with a Leq24h level of 40 dB(A). This may be a useful indicator for assessing the potential impact of human activities on an umbrella species such as, for instance, the cinereous vulture, whose breeding does not take place where road traffic Leq24h levels are higher than 40 dB(A).
Highlights
Natural landscapes are under continuous pressure and modifications from diverse human activities [1]
Cinereous vultures apparently locate their nests at an average distance of 2200 m from road margiSnussta(iwnabhiliictyh20r2a0n, 1g2e, xdFbOeRtPwEEeRenRE2V0IE0Wand 5000 m), and at an average distance of 250 m from6 uonf 1p7aved trails.trTahiles.seThlaetsteerladttiesrtadnicsteasnocessciollsactielldatferdomfrolmessletshsatnha1n01m0 mto tuoputpot7o4704m0 m(F(iFgiugruere2)2.).InInrerelalatitoionnttooroad trafficronaodistera, fifticisnwoioser,thit nisowtinorgththnaottitnhgertehawt ethreerne ownereestnsoitneelsot csaitteiolnocsaetixopnos seexdpotsoedLetqo2L4heql2e4vh elelvsehlsigher than 3h9igdhBer(Ath)a. nO3n9tdhBe(Aot)h
The first finding reveals that the influence of road-effect zone based on distance from nest site locations to road margins may be overestimated in previous research
Summary
Natural landscapes are under continuous pressure and modifications from diverse human activities [1]. Due to the growing human encroachment within wildlife habitat, the impact of human activities on natural areas has received increased attention from researchers and ecologists during the last decades [2]. The effects of human disturbance on wildlife behavior, population dynamics and life history may still be poorly documented [3]. Animals are assumed to choose particular habitat attributes and food resources to maximize their fitness but they cannot always correctly assess habitat quality [4]. Concern about human impacts on wildlife populations is increasingly relevant in case of high road densities. In protected areas and peri-urban environments, where roads often have regular traffic from tourists and local residents [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
