Project
Factors influencing the spatial distribution of roadkill hotspots on two roads in the LaurentiansRoads reduce ecological connectivity and increase wildlife mortality. The Mont-Tremblant region in Quebec is subject to increasing anthropogenic pressure. However, almost no research on road ecology has been conducted there. Collisions with wildlife are an issue for road safety, but also for the preservation of wildlife populations. The fragmentation of the landscape by roads and urban sprawl affects mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds, including some endangered species. This project aims to fill the data gap on vehicle-wildlife collisions in the Laurentians, particularly near a protected natural area. Roadkill surveys will be conducted during the summer on two roads (Route 117 and Chemin du Lac-Supérieur) near Mont-Tremblant National Park. We will identify species vulnerable to road traffic and mortality hotspots, i.e., places where animals attempt to cross roads unsuccessfully. Identifying these high-risk areas and the factors determining their location will enable the development of mitigation and connectivity restoration plans to help animal populations adapt to the environmental pressures caused by climate change.
