Influence of Transport Infrastructure on Nature

Abstract: Collserola Park is situated within the greater metropolitan area of Barcelona, close to the Mediterranean coastline. The park occupies some 8,500 ha of predominantly Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and Holm oak (Quercus ilex) woodlands with a high diversity of wildlife habitats. Wildlife have been moni­tored here for over 15 years and detailed data are available on the habitat requirements of a variety of mam­mal species with large territorial requirements such as the common genet (Genetta genetta) and the wild boar (Sus scrofa).
In recent years there has been considerable urban expansion in the Barcelona metropolitan area. As a consequence, many wildlife habitats in Collserola park are now effectively isolated from those of other nearby natural areas by a ring of major transportation infrastructures and urbanised ground. Several roads, including a fenced motorway and a railway, also cross the park within its boundaries leading to internal habi­tat fragmentation and limiting wildlife movements. The recently published ‘Transport Infrastructure Plan for Catalonia’ envisages the development of major new roads and railways within and around Collserola in the coming years (2006-2026).
Consideration of available data regarding wildlife requirements, in combination with detailed GIS analy­ses of the future infrastructure scenario, permits interpretation of likely habitat fragmentation effects and other impacts on certain wildlife species in Collserola Park.
Urbanisation processes beyond the park’s administrative boundaries, facilitated by infrastructure devel­opment, are already leading to significant habitat loss and alteration in remaining metropolitan greenspace, thus lowering critical threshold levels for sensitive species within the park. Our results indicate that these threshold limits are likely to be approached or surpassed in Collserola as a consequence of the development of this new infrastructure plan. As such, this plan could seriously jeopardise the long-term viability of wild­life populations in Collserola Park and undermine its overall ecological integrity.
Key words: wildlife habitat, fragmentation effects, metropolitan area, Barcelona, Collserola Park, GIS analyses

Suggested citation: Cahill S.Ä.Ä„., TenÄ‚Å s A., Llimona F. & CabaÄ‚Ä…eros L.Ä.Â. 2007. Fragmentation effects on wildlife habitats of planned transport infrastructure in protected metropolitan greenspace. The case of Barcelona, Spain. In: B. Jackowiak (ed.). Influence of Transport Infrastructure on Nature. General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways, p. 89-97. Warszawa-PoznaÅ„-Lublin.
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