SPATIAL ANALYSIS ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WILDLIFE-HUMAN CONFLICTS IN SENAI-DESARU EXPRESSWAY (SDE) IN 2009-2015

摘要

Malaysia has one of the richest biodiversity and extensive road networks throughout the country. One of the consequences emerges from this condition is wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC), representing a remarkable non-natural death in wildlife species. Hence, the knowledge and deliberation of gap analysis on Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is indispensable to convalesce and recuperate the safe co-existence between animal populations and human needs including transportation of people or goods along the expressway. This study is to (a) evaluate the landuse patterns on the distribution of HWC, (b) assess whether HWCs are clustered forming mortality hotspots along 70km of Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE). Annual recorded data of HWC s from 2009-2015 was collected, involving mammal at various size while Landsat satellite images used to detect land-use changes at both sides of SDE. Several environmental variables including human-wildlife conflict trend, signifying suitability of wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity, while accounting for spatial effects. More than 30 trapping camera were set-up at both sides of SDE to identify hotspots of HWC and to support the result such as species of animal killed, land-use type, sloppiness of terrain relief and logistic facilities which could stimulate the WVCs. Based on the result, WVC and landuse type demonstrated a strong relationship for all existing species that could explained the annual trend. Tree cover, distance to riparian areas, terrain ruggedness and poor unmaintained fencing system along SDE were important stimulator of WVCs. Seven main hotspots of mortality was detected along SDE in 2015, yet only one road section (20~(th) -30~(th) km) was classified as hotspot for more than 35 number of WVC. From 2009, the number of WVCs at some sections are decreased indicates the adaptability of wildlife to new invented habitats and effectiveness of mitigating action but fluctuating trend is shown in remaining section. To conclude, WVC mainly occur in road sections with more abundant and diverse wildlife communities. Mortality hotspots definitely provide significant information for mitigation in selected prioritized road sections. The results support focusing on hotspots, habitat quality and landscape connectivity for a better assessment of road mortality. At the local scale, road passages with regular maintenance of exclusionary fencing and appropriate mesh size in riparian areas may provide safe crossings for many species and constitute a promising mitigation measure.