IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Clements, G.R. | |
| The Environmental and social impacts of roads in southeast Asia | |
| 2013 Full Book | |
The expansion of road networks shows no signs of abating, especially in developing countries where economic growth is rapid anc opportunities for natural resource exploitation are plentiful. When a road is built, there will invariably be environmental and social impacts. Among tropical regions, however, these impacts are probably least studied in Southeast Asia. When studying the nevironmental impacts of roads, mammals are one of the ideal animal groups to focus on due to thier sensitivity to disturbance. In Southeast Asia, there is an urgnet need to address the enviornmental impacts of roads on mammals, especially when predicted extinction rates of mammals are relatively high. As such, I interviewed 36 relevant experts to identify roads that are contributing hte most to habitat conversion and illegla hunting of mammals in 7 Southeast Asian countries. We have now identified 16 existing and eight planned roads -. these collectively threaten 21% of the 117 endangered terrestrial mammals in those coutnries. Usind various techniques, I demonstrated how exisiting roads contribute to forest conversion and illegal hunting and trade of wildlife. Such empirical evidence can also be used to inform decision-makers and support efforts to mitigate threats from exisiting and proposed roads to endangered mammals. Finally, I highlighted key lessons and propose mitigation measures to limit road impacts within the region. |
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