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

• Grant number: 25/05874-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: July 31, 2025
• End date: January 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Garcia Chiarello
• Grantee: Juliana Barreto de Lima
• Supervisor: Fernando Jorge Portela Martins Ascensao
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/16938-2 - Effects of unpaved roads on medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cerrado agricultural landscapes, BP.MS

Abstract

The construction and use of roads cause profound changes in landscapes and affect wildlife through various factors, such as wildlife-vehicle collisions, changes in habitat quality, behavioral alterations, and the fragmentation of native vegetation. Among road types, unpaved roads are particularly transformative, especially in agricultural regions of tropical countries, where they support the expansion of agribusiness. However, how these roads influence wildlife is still not well understood. Some studies suggest that dirt roads may benefit certain mammal species by facilitating foraging and movement, while others may be negatively affected. In Brazil, where approximately 80% of the road network is unpaved, there is a unique opportunity to explore this knowledge gap. The region that includes the Cerrado in the state of São Paulo is dominated by agricultural landscapes and a dense network of dirt roads, yet the remaining patches of native vegetation still support a variety of mammal species. This study aims to assess the impact of unpaved roads in northeastern São Paulo on medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals. Data from camera traps and transects in 55 landscapes will be used to investigate how road density affects mammal species richness and diversity, as well as the relative abundance of native and exotic species, and how these dynamics are driven by landscape composition and configuration. The results may contribute to the sustainable management of road networks, helping to mitigate their impacts on wildlife and inform policies for the appropriate use of roads in agricultural transport. (AU)