Informing snake roadkill mitigation strategies in Taiwan using citizen science

Abstract

Despite their prevalence in roadkill in East Asia, there has been little research on snake mortality along roads, even though the region's fauna contains some of the highest proportions of threatened or data-deficient reptiles. We analyzed citizen-collected roadkill data from Taiwan, comprising >11,000 records of snake roadkill from 2006–2017. We used maximum entropy environmental niche modeling to predict roadkill sighting patterns across snake species differing in habitat use, foraging behavior, and taxonomic group. Roadkill sightings were highest in low to mid-elevation (i.e., 0–2,000 m) forests and strips of farmland or shrubland that cut through forests; these areas likely support high snake abundances or dispersal activity. Sightings were lowest in urban areas and at high elevations (i.e., >2,000 m), likely because of unfavorable habitat conditions. Road density had little influence on roadkill sightings; areas with dense roads may be of lower habitat quality and contain fewer snakes. Roadkill sighting patterns differed among snake species with different habitat use and behavior. Natural history and landscape factors should be considered in roadkill mitigation design to reduce snake roadkill effectively. We recommend the use of similar citizen-science projects elsewhere to supplement conservation planning. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.