Tools and Processes for Implementing a Road Ecology Approach to Transportation and the Environment

Road systems are an essential infrastructure need for economic and social wellbeing. As road networks expand and alter the landscape, ecological processes are affected, in turn affecting core resources such as water quality, air quality, wildlife habitat, fisheries, wetlands and vegetation. Awareness of the effects of roads on the environment has grown, but research is still needed to achieve a scientific understanding of the underlying processes and to apply this understanding to the design of sustainable transportation systems. The science of road ecology is being developed to address the interface between roads and natural systems. Scientific research will provide the foundation for development of a road ecology approach to transportation systems. The road ecology approach will include tools and processes that incorporate ecological considerations in transportation planning, design and project delivery. Road ecologists also aim to develop ways that transportation agencies and resource protection agencies can collaborate to lessen the impacts of roads on the environment. Road ecology is an emerging field, both in transportation planning and engineering on the one hand, and in academic research. Several major publications worth noting have appeared in recent years. The keystone book in this area is Road Ecology (Forman et al. 2003), which provides an excellent foundation and overview of the key concepts of road ecology. A report addressing potential assessment tools and approaches, sponsored by the U. S. National Academy of Sciences (Assessing and Managing the Ecological Impacts of Paved Roads, 2005) is available from National Academy Press (http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11535.html. Most recently, Davenport and Davenport (2006) bring together a series of papers on transportation impacts on ecosystems, ranging from marine travel to highway transportation. Several chapters deal with wildlife impacts, and include practical solutions. The intent of this review is to summarize some recent tools and processes that may be useful and adaptable for a range of transportation planning situations. The topics include: Ⅰ、Ecological approaches to management of roadside soils and vegetation; Ⅱ、Identifying and mitigating road impacts on wildlife; Ⅲ、Eco-Logical, an integrative planning tool for professionals; Ⅳ、University Centers for environment and transportation; and Ⅴ、ICOET, the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation.