Road mortality of amphibians, reptiles and other wildlife on the long point causeway, Lake Erie, Ontario

Abstract

Wildlife road mortality on a 3.6 km section of a two-lane paved causeway adjacent to Big Creek National Wildlife Area on Lake Erie was censured from spring to autumn for two 2-year periods, 1979-1980 and 1992-1993. Total recorded mortality exceeded 32 000 individuals, the majority being young of the year Leopard Frogs. One hundred vertebrate species were recorded, 7 amphibians (n = 30 034), 10 reptiles (n = 864), 21 mammals (n = 282) and 62 birds (n = 1302). Amphibian (Leopard Frog. Bullfrog, Green Frog, American toad) and reptile (Painted Turtle. Snapping Turtle, Blanding's Turtle and Garter Snake) mortality showed seasonal patterns consistent with life history phenology. Amphibians mortality was significantly associated with adjacent roadside vegetation and turtle road mortality with adjacent open water areas (P</- 0.05). Factors that influence herpetofaunal road mortality and management options for reducing mortality on the causeway are discussed.