Open AccessEnd of the line for the golden lion tamarin? A single road threatens 30 years of conservation efforts
Author(s) -
Ascensão Fernando,
Niebuhr Bernardo B.,
Moraes Andreia M.,
Alexandre Brenda R.,
Assis Julia C.,
AlvesEigenheer Milene A.,
Ribeiro John W.,
Morais Marcio M.,
Martins Andreia F.,
Oliveira Ademilson,
Moraes Elisamã,
Ramos Jadir H.,
Lorini Maria L.,
Ferraz Luís P.,
Culot Laurence,
Dietz James M.,
RuizMiranda Carlos R.,
Ribeiro Milton C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.89
Subject(s) - endangered species , geography , habitat , biodiversity , extinction (optical mineralogy) , habitat destruction , biodiversity conservation , environmental planning , environmental resource management , ecology , biology , environmental science , paleontology
Roads have a myriad of negative effects on biodiversity, ultimately threatening the persistence of populations. In this Perspective we call attention to an extreme example, where the entire current geographic range of the endangered golden lion tamarin ( Leontopithecus rosalia , GLT) is bisected by a major highway that is being widened to four lanes. We believe that the planned mitigation actions are not enough to reduce the expected increase of barrier effects and road mortality. These impacts may lead to a sequence of cascading effects that could jeopardize the conservation actions that prevented the extinction of GLTs three decades ago. We identify specific road sections along the highway and accompanying paved roads in the region that if equipped with tailored over passages would greatly reduce the road barrier effects. We also highlight areas where reforestation efforts could be extended in order to help reestablishing the connectivity between GLT habitat areas. We suggest that the working group integrating key decision makers and stakeholders, including the Non‐governmental organization leading the conservation efforts, partner universities, national road and environmental agencies, and the road construction company, to implement and to monitor the complementary road passages to improve connectivity of GLT habitat, and consequently to ensure the species' survival.