Evaluating tramway infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem services

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 9394
• Main Authors: Moroń, Dawid, Beim, Michał, Gudowska, Agnieszka, Angeoletto, Fabio, Celary, Waldemar, Cwajna, Aleksandra, Indykiewicz, Piotr, Lenda, Magdalena, Marjańska, Emilia, Menzel, Annette, Skórka, Piotr, Tryjanowski, Piotr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 24.04.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/158/2458; 631/158/670; 631/158/672; 631/158/858; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Biodiversity; Biology; Birds; Climate change; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Ecological effects; Ecological footprint; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecosystem biology; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Environmental impact; Green urban architecture; Human-nature conflict reduction; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Infrastructure; Keywords; Land sharing; Life sciences; Light rail transportation; multidisciplinary; Public transportation; Railroads; Reptiles & amphibians; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sustainability management; Transport infrastructure; Urban areas; Urban development; Urban heat islands; Urban planning; Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; Zoology; Land sharing; Ecosystem services; Human-nature conflict reduction; Green urban architecture; Urban planning; Transport infrastructure
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59460-2

Tramways in urban areas for mass transit has been suggested to have a lower environmental footprint than roads. However, studies on the impact of tramways and the surrounding infrastructure on biodiversity is extremely rare despite the potential ecological effects associated with this anthropogenic feature. Surprisingly, we found fewer than 10 papers published on tramway-wildlife interactions, which is significantly lower ( vs dozens of thousands) than that of other transportation methods. As tramways and stations may be managed sustainably by planting short vegetation on the track and roofs of tramway stations, they may be good examples of land-sharing policies in green urban planning, improving both biodiversity and people’s well-being. The potential environmental benefits of green practices for commercially available tramways should be strictly tested and applied, especially in the context of the growing popularity of tramway systems worldwide.