Abstract:

Background & Aims: As a vital component of transportation networks, railways exert profound influences on biodiversity. Internationally, research on railway impacts and mitigation strategies has reached an advanced stage, supported by extensive field-tested solutions. In China, growing commitments to biodiversity conservation have heightened the tension between ecological conservation and railway infrastructure expansion. This paper aims to explore pathways for developing ecological railways grounded in practical frameworks for China’s railway sector. 

Methods & Results: Through a systematic literature review of 364 publications up to 2025, we examine the fundamental characteristics of railways, compare their ecological effects with those of roads, and categorize railway-related biodiversity impacts into five domains: (1) barrier effects; (2) habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation; (3) edge effects and biological invasion; (4) wildlife mortality; and (5) pollution and human disturbance. Railways and their adjoining green corridors can also serve as wildlife habitats, offering positive contributions to biodiversity through enhanced connectivity, habitat heterogeneity and distinctive ecological features. International ecological railway strategies are summarized into six dimensions: (1) increasing railway lateral connectivity/wildlife passages; (2) improving artificial facilities to reduce wildlife-train collisions; (3) vegetation management along railways; (4) biodiversity compensation; (5) regular biodiversity surveys; and (6) financial and policy support. We also review progress in China’s research on railway biodiversity interactions and conservation measures. 

Conclusions: A biodiversity-centered conservation strategy for China’s ecological railway development is proposed, including: promoting systematic system-building, establishing an adaptive implementation framework, and strengthening scientific guidance.

Key words: wildlife mortality, roadkill, barrier effects, habitat fragmentation, habitat connectivity, wildlife crossings, railway ecology