Study Reveals Desert Highways and Shelterbelts Enhance Xinjiang Ground-Jay Habitat Expansion and Connectivity
2026-05-14
A research team led by Prof. YANG Weikang from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG), found that desert highways and shelterbelts enhance habitat and connectivity for the Xinjiang ground-jay, an endemic bird of the Taklimakan Desert. The findings were published in Transportation Research Part D on April 28, 2026.
Road construction typically has negative impacts on wildlife, including barriers to animal migration, increasing roadkill risk, and reducing habitat connectivity. In arid regions, which are ecologically sensitive areas, road construction further exacerbates these threats.
The research team established two scenarios: Scenario 1 (1985-2004), corresponding to the early stage of road construction before the shelterbelt was fully established, and Scenario 2 (2005-2024), encompassing six highways and the shelterbelt system (Fig. 1). Using Species Distribution Models and the Equivalent Connectivity Area index, they assessed the impacts on habitat changes for the Xinjiang ground-jay (Fig. 2).
Results showed that suitable habitat expanded from 261,963 km2 to 315,028 km2, a net increase of 53,065 km2 (20.25%). Suitable habitat was primarily concentrated in the desert hinterland (120,788 km2), compensating for the loss of 67,695 km2 of edge habitat due to agricultural expansion (Fig. 3).
Habitat connectivity also improved significantly (p = 0.008). For every 1 m/km2 increase in road density, connectivity rose by 34,683 units.
The study reveals that infrastructure designed for economic development can, under specific conditions, generate ecological benefits by creating wildlife corridors. The researchers recommend integrating such corridors into road planning and establishing long-term monitoring mechanisms.
Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2026.105399
Fig. 1. Geographical location of the Taklimakan Desert and structure of the Taklimakan Desert Highway Shelterbelt. (Image by XIEG)
Fig. 2. Habitat of the Taklimakan Desert and morphological characteristics of the Xinjiang ground-jay. (Image by XIEG)
Fig. 3. Habitat suitability distribution for the Xinjiang ground-jay under Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, and the corresponding changes in suitable habitat. (Image by XIEG)
Contact
WANG Muyang
Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography
Email: wangmuyang@ms.xjb.ac.cn