Utilisation of a wide underpass by mammals on an expressway in the Western Carpathians, S Poland

摘要: Transport infrastructure is a critical threat to populations of animals; wildlife crossing structures are therefore commonly applied as measure sustain animal movements across roads and railways. Research on the efficiency needed provide scientific underpinnings conservation efforts. Year-round monitoring large underpass S69 expressway in western Polish Carpathians revealed that structure was mainly used by wild mammals (68.6 %), followed domestic animals (22.1 %) people (9.3 %). Wild (14 species) were represented both game protected species, including largebodied species like red deer Cervus elaphus, roe Capreolus capreolus boar Sus scrofa. The Shannon diversity index Shannon's evenness varied seasonally, with highest number recorded summer lowest winter. Red neither avoided nor selected for structure, while it, it. This study indicates underpasses mountains rich community mammals, even if located close human settlements.