Rapid assessment of linear transport infrastructure in relation to the impact on landscape continuity for large ranging mammals

摘要: Many Eastern European countries still host landscapes with high value due to their habitat quality and size. Some of these are new member states the Union, EU-accession is accompanied by huge investments in development traffic infrastructure. Environmental assessments mandatory for road constructions EU do not necessarily require explicit measures mitigation fragmentation, technical associated building frequently assumed provide sufficient possibilities wildlife crossings. We evaluated those structures at two motorway sections separating relevant subpopulations brown bear (Ursus arctos) Bulgaria. Our assessment revealed that permeability motorways has been considerably overestimated. A total just 13 out 77 potential crossing roads together meet requirements we defined suitable found improvement functionality already existing facilities along very limited. Given dependence on a small number paths connecting crossings both sides road, connectivity between vulnerable fragmentation impacts.