Article Review: Build It and Some Will Use It: A Test of Road Ecopassages for Eastern Gartersnakes

Hello! Hope you all are doing well.

I read an article in the Journal of Herpetology January 2020 issue regarding the testing of wildlife crossings with Eastern Gartersnakes. This article starts off by discussing the risk to wildlife of habitat fragmentation and complete destruction due to human behavior and how structures are being placed to mitigate disruption to the species present, such as ecopassages like tunnels and bridges. This study was an attempt to determine the likelyhood that a species, the Eastern Gartersnake specifically, would utilize an ecopassage. Gartersnakes were collected in Canada within 2km of an existing ecopassage. In trial A, snakes were given the option to stay in what they called the arena or cross the ecopassage. In trial B, the snakes from trial A that crossed the ecopassage were given the option to stay in the arena, cross the ecopassage, or exit to the left or right along the fence line. Trial C was the same set up as trial B, but with snakes that had not been a part of trial A or B.

Although their sample size was pretty small, you can see from the table in the article that the ecopassages seem to be successful for this species. They showed no difference between male and females decision making, nor did prior experience with the ecopassage play a role in which path the snake took. However, in the discussion of the article, they talk about how other research has been done on different species, such as Painted Turtles, where the ecopassage was not chosen the majority of the time. While this research is a good start, there are many variables left out, which are talked about in the discussion of the article, such as type of bridge (concrete versus natural foliage) and width of tunnels or bridges. Things of this nature are key aspects that may be an invitation or deterrent to cross ecopassages for different species.

Long term studies with a much greater sample size and species diversity would be most beneficial in determining the true benefits of ecopassages. Although it would be ideal to refrain from harming wildlife habitats altogether, research on the conservation efforts to minimize harm are crucial to the success of many species.


Full article:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338489784_Build_It_and_Some_Will_Use_It_A_Test_of_Road_Ecopassages_for_Eastern_Gartersnakes