Question

What type of isolation are engineers and ecologists trying to prevent with the structure called a 'wildlife overpass'?

1) Genetic isolation
2) Physical isolation
3) Emotional isolation
4) Social isolation

Answer 1

Wildlife overpasses help to prevent 1. genetic isolation by providing a safe passage for animals across human-made barriers, maintaining important ecological connections necessary for their survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

Engineers and ecologists are aiming to prevent genetic isolation with the structure known as a 'wildlife overpass'. These structures allow animals to cross human-made barriers such as highways and urban developments, which otherwise hinder movement and lead to habitat fragmentation. By enabling movement across these barriers, wildlife overpasses enhance connectivity in the landscape, facilitating regular, seasonal, and dispersal movements that are critical for feeding, breeding, and maintaining genetic diversity within and between wildlife populations.

A species that cannot disperse to find new habitats or mates can become genetically isolated, leading to a decrease in genetic variation and an increased risk of inbreeding. Connectivity maintained by wildlife overpasses plays a critical role in preventing this, ensuring the long-term survival of species in fragmented landscapes.