Abstract
Linear infrastructure intrusions into natural ecosystems, such as motorways and high-speed railways, causes direct loss of habitat but also impacts fauna through collisions. Wildlife road mortality is well documented and extensive conservation legislation exists in many countries to minimise the negative impact of these infrastructures. However, although these measures are implemented because of legislation, these structures are often not adequately maintained. Here we present data on the functionality of perimeter fences along two motorways in Malaga province (southern Spain) erected to prevent collisions with the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon). We sampled the fences along the 14 km of the two motorways included in the 17 1 × 1 km squares of the study area. Our results show that the reptile fence is permeable throughout at those points where the metal sheeting was absent and where the vegetation had overgrown around the fence, hence allowing chameleons to cross. Given our results, we conclude that this situation is likely to be similar in other regions of Spain and in other countries. This is because construction/concessionary companies do not consider the environmental impact of construction projects in the medium and long term, and environmental authorities do not ensure that companies comply with the legislation.
Highlights
Linear infrastructure intrusions into natural ecosystems, such as motorways and high-speed railways, causes direct loss of habitat and impacts fauna through collisions
The ecological effects of road infrastructure intrusions have been extensively investigated to understand the causes of impact and how it can be mitigated[1,4]
Road mortality rarely affects population viability[5] of the more abundant species with high reproductive rates[6], but it can be detrimental for species of low population densities and reproductive rates
Summary
According to the characteristics and requirements of the target species, implemented correctly, and must be regularly maintained[20,21,22]. We examine the success of exclusion structures designed for and installed around motorways to avoid road mortality of the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) in southern Spain. Species is found only within a small distribution range in southern Spain and Portugal. The species may have been introduced to Iberian Peninsula from northern Africa in prehistoric or and historical times[23], since the Spanish populations are morphologically indistinguishable from those of northern Africa[24], individuals of the species are not allowed to be killed nor their breeding sites or resting places disturbed. The common chameleon is included in Annex IV of the EU Habitat and Species Directive (92/43/CE) as a species of interest and is strictly protected in Annex II of the Bern Convention. In Spain, mortality caused by collision with vehicles is one of the main threats to the species[25,26,27]
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