Study

Animals crossing the Northway: are existing culverts useful?

  • Published source details LaPoint S., Keys R.W. & Ray J.C. (2003) Animals crossing the Northway: are existing culverts useful?. Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies, 10, 11-17.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Install tunnels/culverts/underpass under roads

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Install tunnels/culverts/underpass under roads

    A study in 2002 of mixed habitats including forest, swamp and farmland, along a highway in New York, USA (LaPoint et al. 2003) found that 19 culverts were rarely used as crossing points by mammals. The only crossings documented were five by northern racoons Procyon lotor at a single drainage culvert. Nineteen culverts were studied, along 141 km of highway, from 14 March to 29 April 2002. Culverts were categorised according to primary use: drainage (seven culverts), pedestrian underpass (nine), truck use (two) or bridge (one, where a river flowed beneath the road). Enabling white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus passage was also thought to be a motivation in installing at least some culverts. Animal passage was recorded using one camera trap at each culvert (average 40 days/site) and opportunistic snow-tracking when conditions permitted.

    (Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)

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