How Long Do the Dead Survive on the Road? Carcass Persistence Probability and Implications for Road-Kill Monitoring Surveys
Author Information
Author(s): Sara M. Santos, Filipe Carvalho, António Mira
Primary Institution: University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
Hypothesis
The study aims to describe and model carcass persistence variability on the road for different taxonomic groups under different environmental conditions throughout the year.
Conclusion
Most animal carcasses persist on the road for only one day after being killed by a vehicle, and daily monitoring is necessary for accurate road-kill estimates.
Supporting Evidence
- Most animal carcasses persisted on the road for only one day.
- Daily monitoring is necessary for accurate road-kill estimates.
- Carcass persistence was influenced by animal size, traffic volume, and weather conditions.
- Smaller animals had lower persistence probabilities compared to larger animals.
- Monitoring frequencies should be adapted based on local environmental conditions.
Takeaway
When animals get hit by cars, their bodies usually don't stay on the road for long. This study helps us understand how often we need to check for them to know how many are getting hit.
Methodology
Daily surveys of road-killed vertebrates were conducted over one year along four road sections with different traffic volumes, using survival analysis to assess carcass persistence.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to varying scavenger activity and environmental conditions affecting carcass visibility and persistence.
Limitations
The study is limited to species under 10 kg and may not apply universally to other regions or larger species.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
1 (1-1)
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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