DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-098-6-0059

FRAGMENTACE KRAJINY DOPRAVNÍ INFRASTRUKTUROU A JEJÍ KONEKTIVITA

FRAGMENTATION CAUSED BY TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY

Ivo Dostál ORCID...¹, Marek Havlíček ORCID...¹

¹ Centrum dopravního výzkumu, v. v. i., Líšeňská 2657/33a, 636 00 Brno-Líšeň, Česká republika

Landscape fragmentation caused by linear transport networks is a critical threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem health. This paper examines the multifaceted impacts of road and rail structures on landscape connectivity, distinguishing between structural continuity and functional connectivity for various species, including aspects of human society. Using the infrastructure life cycle as a framework, the study applies the internationally recognised mitigation hierarchy Avoidance, Mitigation and Compensation to address both ecological and social barrier effects. During the strategic planning phase, the focus is on avoiding ecological network conflict points and integrating spatial planning. In the design stage, the paper emphasises the transition from technocratic engineering to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These solutions, such as multi-functional migration passages and vegetated soil berms, enhance biodiversity, water retention, and climate resilience. The article further discusses the necessity of continuous monitoring, biological supervision, and the use of roadkill databases to identify mortality hot-spots. Finally, it highlights the often-overlooked decommissioning phase as a vital tool for rewilding and restoring natural connectivity. An integrated, multidisciplinary approach throughout the entire life cycle is presented as the essential path toward achieving ecologically sustainable transport networks that balance human mobility with environmental preservation.

Keywords: biodiversity conservation, mitigation hierarchy, barrier effect, nature-based solutions, decommissioning

pages: 59-66, online: 2026