Impact of traffic on herpetofauna and batrachofauna in Bjelopavlići (Montenegro)

Abstract

Road traffic is a form of human activity which, more than ever, leads to decrease of amphibians and reptiles. For this reason, the study of amphibians and reptiles fauna is commonly based on tracking their mortality on roads. The aim of this paper was to determine the impact of traffic on amphibians and reptiles in Bjelopavlici (Montenegro). The target species included Bufo bufo, Podarcis melisellensis, Lacerta viridis, Testudo hermanni, Natrix natrix, Malpolon insignitus and Vipera ammodytes. Traffic impact assessment was done by re-routing the two survey-routes from 04.01.2009. to 04.01.2010. Both routes had different density of traffic and were tracked along 10 km. (High frequency road (HFR) – 10.300 vehicle per day; Low frequency road (LFR) – 1.100 vehicle per day). Roads were surveyed by bicycle. Gender, age and condition of each individual were determined and the lenght of the snakes was measured. In each visiting field, temperature and humidity of surrounding soil and asphalt were measured. During one long year survey 895 affected individuals were recorded. HFR roads, with higher density of traffic recorded 494 affected units, and the other road LFR, with significantly lower density of traffic, recorded 401 affected units. The most road-killings of amphibians happen during February and November, as it is influenced by their migrations for mating and wintering. The most road-killings of reptiles happen during June and July, under the influence of egg-laying, thermoregulation, search for food or looking for a reliable shelter. The relative relationship of road-killing is higher on the road with lower density of traffic. The highest rate of road-killing was recorded on the wetlands of HFR road. Species of the Bjelopavlici, that are mostly affected and endangered by the traffic are: Bufo bufo, Testudo hermanni and Podarcis melliselensis. In order to protect these species, technical solutions have to be implemented at appropriate locations. This would reduce roadkilling of these species both in the HFR and LFR roads.