Mitigating Tropical Forest Fragmentation with Natural and Semi-Artificial Canopy Bridges

Diego Balbuena,Alfonso Alonso,Margot Panta,Tremaine Gregory,Alan Garcia

doi:10.3390/d11040066

Abstract

Fragmentation caused by linear infrastructures is a threat to forest-dwelling wildlife globally. Loss of canopy connectivity is particularly problematic for highly arboreal species such as those of the Neotropics. We explored the use of both natural canopy bridges (NCBs) and a semi-artificial one over a natural gas pipeline right-of-way (RoW) in the Peruvian Amazon to provide more information on both a proven and a novel solution to the problem of fragmentation. We monitored seven NCBs over 14 months and found crossing rates higher than previously recorded (57.70 crossings/100 trap nights by 16 species). We also constructed a semi-artificial canopy bridge (SACB) out of a liana and found it to be used quickly (seven days after installation) and frequently (90.23 crossings/100 trap nights—nearly nightly) by five species (two procyonids, one didelphid, one primate, and one rodent). This information contributes to our knowledge of mitigation solutions for fragmentation. As linear infrastructure grows globally, more solutions must be developed and tested.

Highlights

Across the globe, human development is fragmenting and destroying ecosystems at an increasingly alarming rate [1]
Canopy bridges have proven to be an effective way to mitigate this form of forest fragmentation and reduce canopy connectivity loss or restore connectivity in forested areas impacted by a linear infrastructure (e.g., [10,11,12,13,14,15,16])
Hybrid solutions that involve local materials familiar to animals and that involve reduced costs may provide a valuable solution in some contexts. In this 14-month long study, we examined the utility of natural canopy bridges (NCBs) to mitigate tropical forest fragmentation caused by the construction of a natural gas pipeline

Summary

Introduction

Human development is fragmenting and destroying ecosystems at an increasingly alarming rate [1]. Roads and other linear infrastructure elements are a problematic threat, opening access for human settlements, logging, hunting, and mining (e.g., [2,3,4,5,6,7]). To build a linear infrastructure such as a pipeline in a forested area, a right-of-way (RoW) must be opened to accommodate the laying of the pipe. Canopy bridges (connections in the canopy composed of either artificial materials or branches) have proven to be an effective way to mitigate this form of forest fragmentation and reduce canopy connectivity loss or restore connectivity in forested areas impacted by a linear infrastructure (e.g., [10,11,12,13,14,15,16])

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Conclusion