Roads reduce amphibian abundance in ponds across a fragmented landscape

Roads threaten animal species through habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, direct mortality. It is crucial to understand how respond linear infrastructure for effective conservation of communities in fragmented landscapes. We assessed relationships between amphibian abundance roads/ railways fragmentation. examined whether the combined effects loss roads or (accessible habitat) was a better predictor than (1) total amount surrounding ponds, (2) distance highway railway, (3) road cover. Aquatic surveys larvae were conducted at 30 freshwater ponds over breeding season mixed peri-urban/ agricultural landscape Hungary. Landscape variables quantified within 1000-m radius measured local (pond) scale. The seven detected. There strong proportion cover 1000 m ponds. Relationships with accessible uncertain, while there no clear major railway. Larval increased pond size, but presence fish. Our results suggest that having stronger impact on study area. Highways appeared be negatively impacting wide road-effect zone up 1 km from However, our obtained single-season snap-shot multi-season are likely required reduce uncertainty model predictions. analysis suggests mitigation projects amphibians should create large areas highways low density, connectivity habitats.