Abstract
The identification of roadkill hotspots is necessary prior to the consideration of wildlife road mortality mitigation measures. In a previous study, 178 roadkill specimens were tallied via a driving survey along 21.4 km (13.3 mi) on three connected roadways in Baldwin County, Georgia. Roadkill locations were recorded to the nearest 0.16 km (0.1 mi) using the vehicle odometer. In the current study, location data were used to generate three graphical displays of roadkill distribution: 1) a linear graph of roadkills per 0.16 km (0.1 mi) bin; 2) a linear graph of roadkills per 0.8 km (0.5 mi) bin; and 3) a linear graph with a continuous running average incorporating 0.48 km (0.3 mi). The number and position of the peaks on each graph were compared in relation to roadway features that may influence animal movement and mortality such as vegetative boundaries, stream crossings, hills, and curves. The running average plot provided the best visual illustration of roadkill hotspot locations in relation to roadside features. The running average is a good technique to quickly and accurately identify hotspot locations and could help resource managers plan mitigation strategies to decrease wildlife road mortality.
Acknowledgements
Dennis Parmley, Heidi Mead, and Melony Mead provided helpful comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript. This manuscript benefited from critical reviews by two anonymous reviewers.
Recommended Citation
Ogletree, Kori A.; Mead, Alfred J.; and Boitet, Evan R.
(2019)
"Identifying Roadkill Hotspots Using a Running Average,"
Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 77, No. 2, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol77/iss2/3