Road Ecology: Synthesis and Perspectives

Roads and transportation infrastructures are among the most extensive human-made transformations on Earth—shaping landscapes, enabling connectivity, and driving economic growth. Yet, behind these undeniable benefits lies a complex web of ecological consequences. Roads fragment habitats, alter ecosystems, and influence biodiversity in ways that ripple across the planet, raising urgent questions for sustainable development.

This groundbreaking book is the first to comprehensively present both the current state of knowledge and future directions in the emerging discipline of Road Ecology. Organized into 5 sections, it offers a clear and accessible structure:
1. Road-Related Impacts – How roads affect ecosystems and species
2. Global Perspectives – Insights from Road Ecology research worldwide
3. Organism-Level Effects – From plants to wildlife, understanding species-specific responses
4. Emerging Topics – Innovative approaches and future challenges.

Each chapter concludes with a forward-looking perspective, ensuring readers gain not only a deep understanding of today’s science but also a vision for tomorrow’s solutions. This essential resource addresses a long-standing gap: the difficulty of integrating all aspects of Road Ecology into a single, coherent reference. By promoting a multidisciplinary approach, it empowers scientists, students, and stakeholders—such as road authorities, wildlife managers, and conservation planners—to mitigate ecological costs while enhancing societal benefits.

Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, or an environmentally conscious reader, this book offers the knowledge and tools to navigate one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.

Marcello D’Amico is researcher at the Doñana Biological Station CSIC (Spain). He is a conservation biologist investigating the impacts of linear infrastructures (such as roads and power lines) on biodiversity and ecosystems. He served as Guest Editor for the Topical Collection on Road Ecology in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, published by Springer. Member of the Transport Working Group of the IUCN.

Rafael Barrientos is Professor at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), where he is head of Road Ecology Lab. He works on the impact of linear infrastructures such as roads, railways and powerlines on wildlife. He was one of the editors of the Springer book entitled Railway Ecology and is a member of the IUCN Transport Working Group.

Fernando Ascensão is Professor at the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Portugal). His main research has been dedicated to Road Ecology, holding a PhD and Master’s degree in this field, and involved in several Road Ecology projects in Europe and Brazil. He is a member of the IUCN Transport Working Group.