Impacts of linear transport infrastructure on terrestrial vertebrate species and conservation in China

Two strategic documents issued by the Chinese Central Government projected that, by the mid21st century, the linear transport infrastructure (LTI) network of China will rank at the forefront of ecological and sustainable transport networks globally. With this goal, it is urgent to summarize existing research, benchmark international research levels, and propose development directions and strategies for terrestrial vertebrate species protection around LTI in China. In this study, we searched for peer-reviewed papers before 2020 in both Chinese and international databases. A total of 170 academic articles were collected. Most focused on roads, but some focused on railways, of which the Qinghai-Tibet Railway occupied half. The most researched taxa were mammals, including the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris), and Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the number of bird research papers was less than half that of mammal research papers, and fewer amphibian and reptile studies. The impact of LTI on wildlife was classified to habitat effects, roadkill, behavioral influences, and barrier effects. Wildlife preservation efforts included wildlife and habitat surveys, route selection, subgrade and pavement design, and the design and monitoring of wildlife crossing structures. Studies were concentrated in five zoogeographical regions, i.e., the Qinghai-Tibet, South China, Central China, Northeast China, and Southwest China regions. Conservation suggestions, knowledge gaps, and future research directions for China were identified through comparisons with the state of international research. These focal priorities will help guide the development of road ecology in China. Multi-disciplinary, cross-departmental, and national level research is necessary. Based on this review, a national data integration platform should be established and efforts to cooperate with international research teams to mitigate the adverse effects of LTI should be made.

Automated summary

Two strategic documents issued by the Chinese Central Government project that China's linear transport infrastructure (LTI) network will rank at the forefront of ecological and sustainable transport networks globally by the mid-21st century. This study summarizes existing research and proposes development directions and strategies for terrestrial vertebrate species protection around LTI in China. The research focused on the impact of roads and railways on wildlife, with mammals being the most studied taxa. Recommendations for wildlife preservation efforts and future research directions were identified through comparisons with international research. It is suggested that multi-disciplinary, cross-departmental, and international collaboration is necessary, and a national data integration platform should be established.