Potential effects of pipeline rights-of-way on the densities and movement of boreal mammals

Linear disturbance resulting from increasing petroleum development is widespread in the mixedwood boreal forest of Canada. Despite the prevalence of pipelines on the landscape, their effects on the mammalian fauna are largely unknown. I examined the effects of buried pipeline rights-of-way (ROWs) on three species in Alberta: the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and the American marten (Martes americana). Using mark-recapture, I looked at three width classes of ROW and compared associated effects on population densities in forest adjacent to ROWs, capture success near ROW edges, and movement across ROWS. Only red squirrels had density responses and flying squirrels and marten had higher numbers near edges. Only one red squirrel and three marten were detected crossing ROWS and no individuals crossed the widest ROWs. This study suggest that pipeline ROWS may have long-term negative effects on movement of flying squirrels and possibly marten.