Effects of unpaved roads on medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cerrado agricultural landscapes

• Grant number: 24/16938-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Garcia Chiarello
• Grantee: Juliana Barreto de Lima
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/05874-6 - Effects of unpaved roads on medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cerrado agricultural landscapes, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

The use and construction of roads causes profound changes in landscapes and affects wildlife through various factors, such as deaths due to collisions with vehicles, changes in habitat quality and behavioral alterations, as well as fragmenting native vegetation. Among the types of roads, unpaved roads are particularly transformative, especially in agricultural regions of tropical countries, where they drive agribusiness. However, the relationship between these roads and wildlife is still poorly understood. Some studies suggest that dirt roads may benefit some mammal species by facilitating foraging and movement, while others may be harmed. In Brazil, where around 80% of the road network is unpaved, there is a unique opportunity to explore this knowledge gap. The Cerrado region of São Paulo state is dominated by agricultural landscapes and a dense network of dirt roads, but the few remnants of native vegetation are still home to several mammal species. This study aims to assess the impact of dirt roads in northeastern São Paulo on medium and large terrestrial mammals. Data from camera traps and transects in 55 landscapes will be used to investigate how road density influences mammal richness and diversity, as well as the abundance of 13 native and exotic mammal species, and how these relationships are modulated by landscape composition and configuration. The results could contribute to the sustainable management of road networks, mitigating their impacts on wildlife and guiding policies for the appropriate use of roads in agricultural logistics.