It is widely recognized that major transportation infrastructures such as highways degrade habitats, increase the risk of collision mortality, and cause alterations in landscape connectivity by reducing connections between habitats due to the barrier effect. Wildlife crossings (underpasses and overpasses) have therefore become standard practice to reduce these effects on wildlife. Most studies aim to identify relevant locations for the creation of new wildlife crossings, but it is very rare for results based on modeling tools or animal movement records, for example, to be confronted with expert opinion and knowledge. Our paper provides a methodological framework combining modeling tools and field expertise from a multi-scale perspective. We used complementary connectivity metrics from graph theory to accurately quantify and spatialize the most relevant areas to improve habitat connectivity with multispecies conservation goals. The connectivity analysis was coupled with field expertise to take into account the local context, and technical and land feasibility. We prioritized existing road structures for improvement, found the best locations for new wildlife crossings, and made specific, costed technical recommendations. We empirically tested this approach on a large highway network in Northern France. This allowed us to define work principles to improve 109 existing road structures and to create underpasses or overpasses on 15 road sections. This innovative study for operational purposes has been a useful tool to assist the decision-making process of land-use planners who wish to improve wildlife crossings on major transportation infrastructures.

人们普遍认为，高速公路等主要交通基础设施会使栖息地退化，增加碰撞死亡率的风险，并由于屏障效应减少栖息地之间的连接，从而导致景观连通性的改变。因此，野生动物过境点（地下通道和立交桥）已成为减少这些对野生动物影响的标准做法。大多数研究旨在确定创建新的野生动物过境点的相关位置，但很少有基于建模工具或动物运动记录的结果面临专家意见和知识。我们的论文提供了一个从多尺度角度结合建模工具和领域专业知识的方法框架。我们使用图论中的互补连通性指标来准确量化和空间化最相关的区域，以改善栖息地的连通性，实现多物种保护目标。连通性分析与现场专业知识相结合，以考虑当地情况、技术和土地可行性。我们优先考虑改进现有的道路结构，找到新的野生动物过境点的最佳位置，并提出具体的、成本低廉的技术建议。我们在法国北部的一个大型高速公路网络上对这种方法进行了实证测试。这使我们能够确定工作原则，以改善 109 个现有道路结构，并在 15 个路段上创建地下通道或立交桥。