Highway fragmentation of wildlife populations:
(a) Use of modified highway culverts by small mammals.

         We have been studying small mammal use of modified culverts using remote sensing cameras in an effort to develop    effective methods to reduce population fragmentation following highway development. Ramps and shelves have been built to allow animal movement under the highway through drainage culverts even while water is present. This research was funded by the Montana Department of Transportation. A patent is pending for the animal shelves developed as a result of this research.

Monitoring animal use of modified drainage culverts on the Lolo South Project. Final Report, FHWA/MT-01-004/8117-15, November, 2001. 18 pp.

The effects of highways on fragmentation of small mammal populations and modifications of crossing structures to mitigate such impacts. Final Report, FHWA/MT-04-005/8161, March 2004. 39 pp. For additional information refer to this web site: http://www.umt.edu/urelations/vision/2004/18tunnels.htm

(PDF)  Recent Montana Outdoors Article

  (b) Identification of wildlife activity along Montana Forest Highway 56 – Thompson River leading to the mitigation of proposed highway improvement.

The Federal Department of Transportation is considering highway modifications of Montana Forest Highway 56 which runs approximately 39 miles along the Thompson River corridor in northwestern Montana. These modifications will include straightening, widening, and paving of the existing gravel road. In order to gain the necessary information about potential impacts of this construction on fragmentation of wildlife we will be studying the wildlife populations along the entire corridor. Information collected will allow us to determine where particular species might be most impacted and from this information we will be able to provide potential solutions to mitigate for these impacts (e.g., construction of wildlife overpasses/ underpasses). Snowtracking, radiotelemetry with GPS collars, and remote cameras are being used. During the 6-month period between January and July we obtained over 4,000 GPS locations on each of 6 Bighorn ewes!

Three full-time technicians are helping with this research - Shawn Cleveland, Brady Dunne and Michael Krebs.