A new book investigates the cascading environmental impacts when human development blocks animal migration routes. Science journalist Hillary Rosner's work, 'Roam: Wild Animals and the Race,' examines how barriers disrupt essential behaviors like mating, hunting, and seed dispersal. These disruptions threaten processes that sustain broader ecosystems.
Impeded movement affects species' ability to find food, reproduce, and maintain genetic diversity. The book highlights how fragmented habitats can lead to population declines and reduced ecological resilience. When animals cannot follow their natural routes, entire food webs and nutrient cycles face destabilization.