Research status and strategies for China’s ecological railway development based on biodiversity conservation

doi:10.17520/biods.2024495

Abstract

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

Luyao Tian, Hao Yin. Research status and strategies for China’s ecological railway development based on biodiversity conservation[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2025, 33(8): 24495.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2024495

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2025/V33/I8/24495

Figures/Tables 4

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一级策略 Primary strategy	二级策略 Secondary strategy
增加铁路横向连通/野生动物通道 Increasing railway lateral connectivity/wildlife passage	在铁路之上: 建设野生动物天桥、野生动物景观桥、改良多功能天桥、树顶天桥 Over the railway: construction of wildlife overpass, landscape bridge, improved multi-functional bridge, tree-top bridge
	将铁路高架: 保留现状连通生境 Elevated railway: preserve the current connected habitat
	在铁路之下: 建设大中型动物地下通道、小动物地下通道、鱼道、两栖动物隧道, 改良多功能地下通道、涵洞等 Under the railway: construction of large and medium-sized wildlife underpasses, small wildlife underpasses, fish lanes, amphibian tunnels, improved multi-functional underpasses, culverts, etc.
改善人工设施降低 WTC Improving artificial facilities to reduce WTC	建设特殊设施: 设置围栏、屏障、人工震慑、带有传感器的预警系统、警示标志等 Implement specialized facilities: install fencing, barriers, artificial deterrents, sensor-based early warning systems, warning signs, etc.
改善人工设施降低 WTC Improving artificial facilities to reduce WTC	改善铁路基础设施: 优化排水沟、进行铁路改造及运行管理、减少人造光使用 Enhance railway infrastructure: optimize drainage systems, carry out railway renovation and operation management, and minimize artificial lighting
沿线植被管理 Vegetation management along railways	植被规划: 近轨道处植被应降低对动物的吸引力, 提升司机的可见度; 远离轨道处植被形成异质性半自然生境 Vegetation planning: the vegetation next to the railway should minimize wildlife attraction while maintaining clear sightlines for train operators; away from the railway, vegetation should form heterogeneous semi-natural habitats
	制定分区植被管理计划: 只进行必要的管理活动; 避开野生动物筑巢、繁育季节 Develop a zonal vegetation management plan: carry out only necessary management activities; avoid wildlife nesting and breeding seasons
	植被修复: 增加本地物种 Vegetation restoration: increase native species
生物多样性补偿 Biodiversity compensation	生境改善 Habitat improvement
	营建新生境 Construction of new habitats
	对特定物种进行利益补偿 Benefit compensation for specific species
定期生物多样性调查 Regular biodiversity surveys	建设前全面评估生态影响 Comprehensive ecological impact assessment before construction
	施工中和施工后, 应建立基线, 定期监测野生动物相关指标 During and after construction, baselines should be established for regularly monitoring of wildlife-related indicators
	预测和定期监测结合 Combining forecasting with regular monitoring
资金和政策支持 Financial and policy support	宏观: 鼓励混合式融资方式 Macro: encourage hybrid financing
资金和政策支持 Financial and policy support	微观: 鼓励生物多样性组织建设 Micro: encourage the development of biodiversity organizations

一级策略 Primary strategy	二级策略 Secondary strategy
增加铁路横向连通/野生动物通道 Increasing railway lateral connectivity/wildlife passage	在铁路之上: 建设野生动物天桥、野生动物景观桥、改良多功能天桥、树顶天桥 Over the railway: construction of wildlife overpass, landscape bridge, improved multi-functional bridge, tree-top bridge
	将铁路高架: 保留现状连通生境 Elevated railway: preserve the current connected habitat
	在铁路之下: 建设大中型动物地下通道、小动物地下通道、鱼道、两栖动物隧道, 改良多功能地下通道、涵洞等 Under the railway: construction of large and medium-sized wildlife underpasses, small wildlife underpasses, fish lanes, amphibian tunnels, improved multi-functional underpasses, culverts, etc.
改善人工设施降低 WTC Improving artificial facilities to reduce WTC	建设特殊设施: 设置围栏、屏障、人工震慑、带有传感器的预警系统、警示标志等 Implement specialized facilities: install fencing, barriers, artificial deterrents, sensor-based early warning systems, warning signs, etc.
改善人工设施降低 WTC Improving artificial facilities to reduce WTC	改善铁路基础设施: 优化排水沟、进行铁路改造及运行管理、减少人造光使用 Enhance railway infrastructure: optimize drainage systems, carry out railway renovation and operation management, and minimize artificial lighting
沿线植被管理 Vegetation management along railways	植被规划: 近轨道处植被应降低对动物的吸引力, 提升司机的可见度; 远离轨道处植被形成异质性半自然生境 Vegetation planning: the vegetation next to the railway should minimize wildlife attraction while maintaining clear sightlines for train operators; away from the railway, vegetation should form heterogeneous semi-natural habitats
	制定分区植被管理计划: 只进行必要的管理活动; 避开野生动物筑巢、繁育季节 Develop a zonal vegetation management plan: carry out only necessary management activities; avoid wildlife nesting and breeding seasons
	植被修复: 增加本地物种 Vegetation restoration: increase native species
生物多样性补偿 Biodiversity compensation	生境改善 Habitat improvement
	营建新生境 Construction of new habitats
	对特定物种进行利益补偿 Benefit compensation for specific species
定期生物多样性调查 Regular biodiversity surveys	建设前全面评估生态影响 Comprehensive ecological impact assessment before construction
	施工中和施工后, 应建立基线, 定期监测野生动物相关指标 During and after construction, baselines should be established for regularly monitoring of wildlife-related indicators
	预测和定期监测结合 Combining forecasting with regular monitoring
资金和政策支持 Financial and policy support	宏观: 鼓励混合式融资方式 Macro: encourage hybrid financing
资金和政策支持 Financial and policy support	微观: 鼓励生物多样性组织建设 Micro: encourage the development of biodiversity organizations

人工设施 Artificial facilities	设计要点 Key points of design
围栏及屏障 Fences and barriers	高度取决于动物类型, 马鹿等不低于2.2 m, 狍等不低于1.5 m; 加大埋深, 保障稳固; 栏杆网格间距需考虑小型动物逃脱; 出入口采用开敞式、引导式设计; 需与动物通道结合; 透明屏障周边减少植物种植、采取防鸟撞措施; 仅在WTC高发地点设置; 为困在铁轨内的野生动物设置逃生通道 The height depends on the wildlife species, such as red deer, not less than 2.2 m, roe deer, not less than 1.5 m; Increase the depth of burial to ensure stability; Railing grid spacing should consider small wildlife escape; The entrance and exit are open and guided; Need to bind to wildlife passage; Reduce plant planting around transparent barriers and take bird collision prevention measures; Set only at WTC high incidence locations; Set up escape routes for wildlife trapped inside the tracks
人工威慑 Artificial deterrents	基于光学、声学或嗅觉装置, 如超声波装置、嗅觉驱避剂 Based on optical, acoustic or olfactory devices, such as ultrasonic devices, olfactory repellents
带有传感器的预警系统Sensor-based early warning systems	如利用热传感器, 触发警报装置 Such as the use of thermal sensors, trigger alarm devices
警示标志 Warning signs	只在风险较高的地点和时间段内放置, 结合闪光灯等引起司机注意 Only place in high-risk locations and time periods, combined with flashing lights, etc., to attract the driver’s attention
优化排水沟 Optimizing drainage systems	设置下水道逃生坡道 Set up drain escape ramps
铁路改造与运行管理 Carrying out railway renovation and operation management	尽量采用土质路面; 采取季节性、时段性防碰撞措施, 如在动物迁徙期铁路段封闭或限速 Try to use soil pavement; Adopting seasonal and timely collision avoidance measures, such as closures or speed limits on railway sections during wildlife migration periods.
人造光 Artificial light	使用钠灯, 防止昆虫碰撞 Use sodium lamps to prevent insect collisions

人工设施 Artificial facilities	设计要点 Key points of design
围栏及屏障 Fences and barriers	高度取决于动物类型, 马鹿等不低于2.2 m, 狍等不低于1.5 m; 加大埋深, 保障稳固; 栏杆网格间距需考虑小型动物逃脱; 出入口采用开敞式、引导式设计; 需与动物通道结合; 透明屏障周边减少植物种植、采取防鸟撞措施; 仅在WTC高发地点设置; 为困在铁轨内的野生动物设置逃生通道 The height depends on the wildlife species, such as red deer, not less than 2.2 m, roe deer, not less than 1.5 m; Increase the depth of burial to ensure stability; Railing grid spacing should consider small wildlife escape; The entrance and exit are open and guided; Need to bind to wildlife passage; Reduce plant planting around transparent barriers and take bird collision prevention measures; Set only at WTC high incidence locations; Set up escape routes for wildlife trapped inside the tracks
人工威慑 Artificial deterrents	基于光学、声学或嗅觉装置, 如超声波装置、嗅觉驱避剂 Based on optical, acoustic or olfactory devices, such as ultrasonic devices, olfactory repellents
带有传感器的预警系统Sensor-based early warning systems	如利用热传感器, 触发警报装置 Such as the use of thermal sensors, trigger alarm devices
警示标志 Warning signs	只在风险较高的地点和时间段内放置, 结合闪光灯等引起司机注意 Only place in high-risk locations and time periods, combined with flashing lights, etc., to attract the driver’s attention
优化排水沟 Optimizing drainage systems	设置下水道逃生坡道 Set up drain escape ramps
铁路改造与运行管理 Carrying out railway renovation and operation management	尽量采用土质路面; 采取季节性、时段性防碰撞措施, 如在动物迁徙期铁路段封闭或限速 Try to use soil pavement; Adopting seasonal and timely collision avoidance measures, such as closures or speed limits on railway sections during wildlife migration periods.
人造光 Artificial light	使用钠灯, 防止昆虫碰撞 Use sodium lamps to prevent insect collisions