ABSTRACT
Over thousands of years, natural processes (fire, floods, earthquakes, changes in river flows) have caused habitat fragmentation. However, many human activities also cause habitat fragmentation. These include agriculture, afforestation, railway lines, canals, urbanisation and roads and road networks. By far the greatest effect of roads on nature occurs when new roads are built in natural areas or in previously or relatively undisturbed areas. Compared to a new road in a rural landscape, the impact of a new road in a natural or seminatural area has long-term, large-scale and complex consequences for wildlife.
