The Impact of Roads on Wildlife in Florida
The FGTF Board of Directors recently met with Dr. Daniel J. Smith to receive a presentation on the impact of roads on wildlife in Florida. Dr. Smith is a Transportation Ecologist within the Biology Department at the University of Central Florida.
Here are some of the key points from his presentation:
Dr. Smith has been developing various tools to integrate land conservation and transportation planning. He noted that the Florida Department of Transportation has constructed approximately 80 wildlife crossings (bridges and underpasses) without any standardized guidance to ensure their effectiveness. However, he announced that FDOT has now established design standards.
Currently, Dr. Smith is crafting a new Wildlife Corridor Planning/Design Guide for engineers and planners, which is projected to be completed by the end of the year.
Dr. Smith shared alarming statistics: 25 Florida panthers are killed on roads each year out of a total population of around 200, and about 250 bears suffer the same fate out of a population of approximately 4,000. He highlighted this as a major safety concern for both wildlife and drivers. He noted that statistics for deer incidents are not tracked or reported.
In lieu of focusing on road-kill numbers, Dr. Smith is developing a habitat-based model. His forthcoming Planning/Design Guide will incorporate factors such as property management and maintenance, including landscaping. He believes this could be a beneficial tool for those tasked with constructing and maintaining trails and greenways.
Dr. Smith analyzed photographs of bridges and wildlife crossings, pointing out their essential features. He underscored that roads are obstacles not just for wildlife, but for trail users too. Citing successful international projects, Dr. Smith mentioned that Canada and Europe provide excellent examples of bridge projects that are beneficial for both wildlife and pedestrians. He drew attention to the topographical challenges associated with bridges, stating that underpasses are generally easier to implement.
The FGTF Board applauds the remarkable research of Dr. Smith and will seek opportunities for collaboration. Prioritizing safety on our roads for both wildlife and motorists is a goal we can all endorse. The FGTF may assist in informing the public and agencies such as FDOT about the significance of wildlife crossings (bridges and overpasses) on highways, and help identify optimal locations for such structures. This will be a primary focus for the FGTF Board in 2023 and beyond.
Thank you, Dr. Smith, for your invaluable contributions!
