Recommendations for the establishment of a trans-island canopy bridge network to support primate movement across Langkawi Island, Malaysia

Recommendations for the establishment of a trans-island canopy bridge network to support primate movement across Langkawi Island, Malaysia

The expansion of transportation and service corridors has numerous, well-documented adverse effects on wildlife. However, little research on this topic has been translated into mitigating the effects of habitat fragmentation caused by road development on primates. The establishment of canopy bridges...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oryx Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 187 - 191
Main Authors: Galea, Benjamin, Mobarak, Irshad, Izzati, Nur Afiqah, Fong, May Yin, Abdullah, Muhammad Firdaus Dev, Mohd Bukhari, Azmil Munif, Lim, Chen Kim, Ruppert, Nadine
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-03-2024
Subjects:
Animals
Bridge construction
Bridges
Canopies
Canopy bridges
connectivity
Environmental protection
Ficus
Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation
Habitats
Infrastructure
Langkawi Island
Malaysia
Monkeys & apes
Plant species
Primates
roadkill
Roads & highways
Short Communication
Transportation corridors
Wildlife
Wildlife conservation
wildlife corridors
Wildlife habitats
Malaysia
Langkawi
Canopy bridges
primates
connectivity
Ficus
Langkawi Island
wildlife corridors
Malaysia
roadkill
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Summary:The expansion of transportation and service corridors has numerous, well-documented adverse effects on wildlife. However, little research on this topic has been translated into mitigating the effects of habitat fragmentation caused by road development on primates. The establishment of canopy bridges has proven to be an effective conservation intervention. Of the completed primate canopy bridge projects reported in the literature, to our knowledge, all attempt to mitigate the impacts caused by singular, linear infrastructure routes. Here we provide recommendations for the establishment of a network of natural and artificial canopy bridges over roads throughout Langkawi Island, Malaysia, to reduce rates of roadkill and support the movement of primates and other arboreal animals across the island by identifying suitable sites and appropriate tree species to be planted (including Ficus racemosa and Ficus fistulosa), bridge materials and post-installation monitoring. The establishment of this pioneering trans-island canopy bridge network could function as a model to enhance connectivity for arboreal animals in other important wildlife habitat sites in Malaysia and beyond that are affected by fragmentation from linear infrastructure. We have begun discussions with relevant authorities, partners and other pertinent parties, focusing on the initiation of construction of the canopy bridge network in 2024.
ISSN:0030-6053
1365-3008
DOI:10.1017/S0030605323001333