Sains Malaysiana 49(10)(2020): 2373-2382

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4910-04

Herpetofauna Roadkills on Langkawi Island, Peninsular Malaysia: The Influence of Landscape and Season on Mortality Distribution

(Korban Jalan Raya Herpetofauna di Pulau Langkawi, Semenanjung Malaysia: Pengaruh Landskap dan Musim pada Taburan Kematian)

NORSHAQINAH AYOB¹, MUZNEENA AHMAD MUSTAPHA², JULIANA SENAWI¹ & NORHAYATI AHMAD^1,3*

¹School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Centre for Earth Science & Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

³Langkawi Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 2 November 2019/Diterima: 15 April 2020

ABSTRACT

We examined the spatiotemporal variation of herpetofauna roadkills on roadways in Langkawi Island. A total of 131 roadkills were recorded. The species that exhibited greater mortality was Varanus nebulosus (n=72). There was a significant difference in herpetofauna mortality between dry and wet seasons (t(11) =-2.330, p=0.04, <0.05). The spatial pattern was described by using kernel density estimation. Four collision hotspots were concentrated at the west side of the island, adjacent to vegetation area and forest reserve. Species characteristics, road proximity to the forested area, vegetation cover and traffic volume may influence the high rate of roadkills found. Installation of warning signs, speed restrictions and temporary road closings could reduce traffic accident and significantly reduce mortalities. The study represents a significant improvement over previous research on the island by implementing hotspot analysis. We would suggest analysing habitat suitability and connectivity to increase the ability to predict the location of roadkill hotspots.

Keywords: Hot spot; kernel density; road mortality; spatio-temporal; tropical island

ABSTRAK

Kami mengkaji variasi reruang dan temporal korban jalan raya haiwan herpetofauna di Pulau Langkawi. Sejumlah 131 korban jalan raya dicatatkan sepanjang pemerhatian dijalankan. Spesies yang menunjukkan kematian yang paling tinggi ialah Varanus nebulosus (n = 72). Terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam kematian herpetofauna antara musim kering dan lembap (t (11) = -2.330, p = 0.04, <0.05). Corak reruang dikaji dengan menggunakan anggaran ketumpatan kernel. Empat kawasan titik panas korban jalan raya tertumpu di sebelah barat pulau, berhampiran dengan kawasan vegetasi dan hutan simpan. Ciri sejarah kehidupan haiwan, jarak jalan ke kawasan hutan, kawasan tumbuhan dan kepadatan lalu lintas mungkin mempengaruhi kadar korban jalan raya yang tinggi yang dijumpai. Pemasangan tanda-tanda amaran, sekatan kelajuan dan penutupan jalan sementara boleh mengurangkan gangguan trafik dan mengurangkan kemalangan trafik melibatkan hidupan liar. Kajian ini menunjukkan peningkatan yang signifikan terhadap penyelidikan terdahulu di Pulau Langkawi dengan pelaksanaan analisis kawasan panas. Kami mencadangkan analisis kesesuaian dan kesambungan habitat dijalankan untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan untuk meramalkan lokasi titik panas korban jalan raya.

Kata kunci: Ketumpatan kernel; korban jalan raya; pulau tropika; reruang dan temporal; titik panas

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: amphibia.my@gmail.com