Do the size and shape of spatial units jeopardize the road mortality-risk factors estimates?

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the role of spatial units with different shapes and sizes on roadkill modeling for small vertebrate species. We used the road-kill records of two reptiles, water snake (Helicops infrataeniatus) and D’Orbigny’s slider turtle (Trachemys dorbigni), and three mammals, white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), coypu (Myocastor coypus) and Molina’s Hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga). Hierarchical partitioning was used to evaluate the independent influence of different land-use classes on road-kill by varying the shape and size of the spatial units. Variables that most explained road-kill were consistent over the different spatial unit types. The standard size seemed to be a reasonable solution for these species. Prior analysis with several sizes and shapes is needed to identify the appropriate spatial unit to model road-kill occurrence for larger vertebrates with different history traits.