A groundbreaking study titled "Behavioral responses of terrestrial mammals to COVID-19 lockdowns", co-authored by M. Ježek and V. Silovský, the researchers from Subprogramme 1 of the EVA4.0 project, has been published in the prestigious journal Science (Vol. 380, Issue 6649, pp. 1059–1064). Since its publication, the paper has garnered significant attention, accumulating over 45 citations to date.?
The study analyzed GPS tracking data from 2,300 individuals across 43 mammalian species to assess changes in movement and road avoidance behaviours during the COVID-19 lockdowns compared to the same period in 2019. Findings revealed that under strict lockdown conditions, 10-day displacement distances increased by 73%, indicating enhanced landscape permeability. Additionally, animals were found to be 36 % closer to roads in areas with a high human footprint, suggesting reduced avoidance behaviour during lockdowns.?
This research underscores the profound impact of human mobility on wildlife behaviour and highlights the importance of considering such effects in future conservation and urban planning efforts.
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