An unconventional look at the world around us to offer current study by the Economics and Ecosystem Management University in Eberswalde, Germany, published in the journal Science . German scientists have created a global map and road infrastructure on the basis set size untouched and inaccessible areas. They also found that the surface of the land is parceled roadways to more than 600,000 fragments.
For a man who knows before entering the roadway look around on both sides of the road do not pose a big problem. Animals and plants it but do not see. Just a few meters asphalted road and for a variety of organisms, there is an insurmountable barrier. Previously, apart from the local population of animals separated rivers and high mountains, but now mostly road. The opposite shoulder from each other can be separated recently linked group of animals and prevent gene flow. But it is much more. Roads may actually contribute to a more rapid transmission of viruses, parasites, bacteria and also recorded as soil erosion due to accidents and slow leaks pollution into waterways and air. In other words, the road separated from each other bits of nature and in addition makes it more accessible and vulnerable.
By building the first traffic artery is rapidly accelerated deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, as well as the first road in Siberia led to the extensive devastation of northern ecosystems. In the case of roads, moreover, perfectly applied theory of "infectious development". It's simple: where there arises way, soon created a lot more routes. The roads are a problem, they know environmentalists long ago, but only thanks to the work of the team of Pierre Ibische of Eberswalde today can realize the true extent and seriousness of the situation. The Earth's surface is fragmented by roads to 600,000 fragments, of which more than half is less than one square kilometer. These tiny islands have naturally with its surroundings only a minimal connection. On such facets are also functions of ecosystems (such as vododržnost) kept to a minimum.
Experts from different fields of science is gradually trying to "protect natural state" - a return to the night sky undisturbed unnecessary přesvícením from cities or to protect the pristine nature. "In order to recognize the contribution of the territory undisturbed by roads and their protection, however, the sustainability agenda of the United Nations fails completely," says Ibisch. As an argument it serves 36 million kilometers of roads, different classes, you throughout the world. Yet only 7% of these 600,000 fragments is an area larger than 100 square kilometers. The largest such unspoiled islands located in the tropical areas of Africa, South America and also in zones of northern forests of Europe and North America. While only 9% of those imaginary islands fall into a mode of territorial protection.
It may seem strange, but the roads, including dusty and muddy, lost somewhere in the jungle or the savannah, have a much greater impact on their surroundings than in a direct line of contact. As confirmed by study co-author from Eberswalde, Nuria Selvaová "direct violation touches everything at a distance of one kilometer on each side of the road." Map of areas still inaccessible by road transport becomes a very valuable source of information for future protection of ecosystems.
Author: Radomír Dohnal
Source: Ekolist.cz
