What human activity poses a significant threat by disrupting necessary seasonal movements?

Answer

Road mortality occurring when roadways bisect migration corridors.

A major source of population decline for the Wood Turtle is direct mortality caused by human infrastructure, specifically roads. This threat is exacerbated by the turtle's strong fidelity to specific habitats and its predictable seasonal relocation patterns between aquatic feeding areas, nesting spots, and overwintering sites. When roadways are constructed across these established migration paths, the turtles are highly vulnerable while attempting to cross, leading to road mortality. Because these turtles are long-lived and slow to reproduce, the loss of even a few adults due to road traffic has a disproportionately negative, long-term impact on the viability of the local population structure.

What human activity poses a significant threat by disrupting necessary seasonal movements?

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