Barrier Impacts

The movement of organisms within rivers and streams is an important ecological process that can be significantly affected by road crossings. If not properly designed, road crossings can block animal movements, delay migration (a process made worse where there are many crossings), and cause physiological stress as animals expend energy passing both natural and artificial obstacles. As barriers to the movement of organisms, sediment, and woody debris, culverts and other crossing structures can result in:

•  Habitat loss & degradation

•  Roadkill leading to the loss of populations

•  Alteration of Ecological Processes

•  Reduced access to vital habitats

•  Population fragmentation & isolation

•  Disruption of metapopulation dynamics