Estimating the effects of roads on migration: a barren-ground caribou case study

Abstract

A challenge for management of wildlife species is the assessment of the effect of roads on migration. We developed models to estimate the spatial (ZOI: zone of influence) and temporal (delays in migration) effects of roads, and test if road closures reduced delays in migration. We analyzed collar (2011-2019) and road survey data from 2 barren ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus (Borowski, 1780)) herds to assess the impact of a 171 km mine road that bisects their migration corridor. We estimated ZOI’s of 16-17 km prior to crossing the road during 2018 and 2019, and 3.0 km after crossing. Estimates of mean delay were 4.3 and 2.5 days for 2018 and 2019 which were reduced by 28-68% (1.2-1.7 days) if roads were closed when caribou were within the zone of influence. In 2017-2018, when the road was extended 64 km north, caribou were 12% less likely to deflect north around the road therefore increasing delays. Road surveys indicated aggregation of caribou prior to crossing the road, with few caribou observed after crossing, a finding supported by collar data. Our methods can estimate the spatial and temporal effects of roads for any wildlife species and assess mitigation strategies in reducing delays in migration.