Road ecology in an urbanising world

Abstract

Urban areas are unique ecosystems with many distinctly human‐centric features not found in other environments; both humans and animals of urban environments must be able to habituate and adapt to many novel influences. Such adaptation includes learning to cope with roads and traffic, which are found in high densities in cities and towns. Perhaps unexpectedly, urban environments often support high levels of biodiversity. Habitats provided by gardens, parks, reserves and roadsides are essential for the survival of wildlife, and these areas are often greatly valued by human residents.

1. Urban environments support biodiversity.

2. The ecological effects of roads are more intense in urban areas.

3. Roads are often directly connected to important riparian habitats.

4. Road impacts and mitigation measures are more conspicuous in urban areas.

5. Urban roads affect people as well as wildlife.

6. Better urban road planning requires community involvement.

7. Raise the profile of road ecology research in the urban landscape.

The presence of people provides both a major obstacle and potentially the key element to successful application of urban and road ecology principles to urban road issues. We contend that people – the defining characteristic of cities – must be included at all levels of road design and implementation.