Researchers identify factors affecting crossing structure use by ungulates in China

The Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve (KNR) in Xinjiang is home to several endangered ungulate species, including 80% of khulan in China, as well as nearly 10,000 goitered gazelles.

Transport infrastructures in the KNR may have an influence on the survival of the local wildlife. Therefore, 22 wildlife crossing structures (CSs) were built along the S11 expressway that crosses the KNR.

In a study published in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, a research team led by Prof. Yang Weikang from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences assessed the effectiveness of 22 wildlife CSs along the S11 expressway.

Researchers deployed a total of 214 infrared cameras to continuously monitor CSs along the S11 expressway for two years. They found that both khulan and goitered gazelles used all 22 CSs, among which seven and 13 CSs showed high crossing frequencies for khulan and goitered gazelle, respectively.

Besides, researchers found that khulan preferred CSs that were open and in proximity to water sources, while goitered gazelles favored CSs that include ponding and feature large openness. Factors including the distance from railway CSs, the presence of predators, and human activity, were also identified to significantly affect the use of CSs by goitered gazelles.

"The construction and operation of the S11 expressway did not threaten wildlife survival in the KNR, but rather promoted the survival and reproduction of wildlife," said Wang Muyang, the corresponding author of this study.

This study can serve as a reference for comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of wildlife crossing structures in other regions.