Monitoring the use of a canopy bridge and underpasses by arboreal mammals on a Brazilian coastal road

Abstract Roads disrupt the canopy and can affect arboreal animals in different ways, such as reducing connectivity, generating habitat loss degradation, increasing direct mortality. Since mainly use for movement, mitigation measures these species usually focus on maintaining or restoring connectivity to guarantee safe crossings. Here we present a case study of Brazilian coastal road (ES-060) which described bridge multiple underpasses by three mammal compared data with roadkill records same vicinity crossing structures. Our includes 75 m long steel cable bridge, monitored 3 years, clusters types underpasses, 16 years. The structures was sand track beds installed at entrances both sides, surveys were conducted daily We considered be successful if tracks recorded either side structure showed opposite movement trajectories. survey resulted an observed rate 0.16 crossings/month Callithrix geoffroyi , 7.79 Coendou insidiosus 0.46 Didelphis aurita all combined demonstrated 0.33, 1.94, 8.43 each species, respectively. 1.41, 0.78, 2.94 roadkills/month Even confirmed used hotspots occurred sections species. mostly while . As red segments where installed, our results indicate that some important improvements are needed mitigate roadkills mammals this area, preventing access road. recommendations research agenda support planning mammals, namely: (1) testing efficiency designs multispecies mitigation, (2) connecting structures, ropes connect surrounding forest, encourage underpass (3) fence adaptations block roads.