Can linear transportation infrastructure verges constitute a habitat and/or a corridor for vertebrates in temperate ecosystems? A systematic review

摘要: Linear transportation infrastructures (roads, railways, oil and gas pipelines, powerlines waterways) generate well documented fragmenting effects on species habitats. However, the potential of verges linear (road railway embankments, strips grass under power lines or above buried waterway banks) as habitat corridor for biodiversity, remains controversial. In a context constant loss natural habitats, opportunities anthropogenic areas compensating biodiversity they generated have to be considered. This paper is first synthesis evidence addressing this topic vertebrates (mammals, birds, amphibians reptiles) in temperate ecosystems. We conducted systematic literature survey using two online publication databases, three search engines, specialist websites, by sending call subject experts. successively screened articles relevance titles, abstracts full texts criteria detailed an priori protocol. then used six specific questions categorize retained studies critically appraise them. These encompassed habitats corridors vertebrates, landscape management these potentialities. appraised all assess their risk bias created database with low medium bias. synthesized results each question narrative syntheses. Finally, that met meta-analysis requirements were quantitative Our initial searches identified 83,565 documents. After critical appraisal, we 119 documents reported 128 studies. Most Europe (49%) United States America (22%), about mammals (61%) birds (20%). Results from meta-analyses converged revealed constitute vertebrate varies according infrastructure biological group Especially, highway may refuge small but seems detrimental birds. The also varied depending considered, urbanisation being related lower hosted verges. found wide variety verge practices few practice, which prevented us drawing general conclusions. Likewise, too assessing able fully conclude although exist. did not find any study effect role major knowledge gap regarding when exist rarely directly measured movements thus encourage more research development protocols enable direct measures movements. deserves further investigations, efforts should coordinated focus one practice (e.g. vegetation management).