Effects of off‐highway vehicle activity on Arizona wildlife: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Off‐highway vehicle (OHV) recreation has dramatically increased in Arizona, USA, prompting concerns about potential effects on wildlife across the state. Wildlife professionals in Arizona face unique challenges in managing a diversity of wildlife species that may respond differently to OHV presence. As such, we conducted a systematic literature review to synthesize existing research on the effects of OHV activity on native Arizona wildlife. Our review included 46 publications that focused on OHV effects on 83 species native to Arizona, ranging across birds ( n  = 51 species), mammals ( n  = 18 species), reptiles ( n  = 13 species), and amphibians ( n  = 1 species). Over 30% of study species were considered species of greatest conservation need in Arizona ( n  = 26 species). Included publications primarily focused on indirect effects on wildlife ( n  = 44 publications), such as altered habitat use or movement, with fewer publications focused on direct effects (i.e., OHV‐induced mortality; n  = 4 publications). Reported effects of OHVs on wildlife abundance and density were the most numerous across included publications ( n  = 169 reported effects). Existing literature indicated that off‐highway vehicles predominantly negatively affected native Arizona amphibians, mammals, and reptiles, while effects of OHVs on birds were mostly unknown or neutral. Publications focused on a small percentage of species in the state, and we documented an overall scarcity of studies conducted on many of Arizona's wildlife taxa. We summarized best management practices identified in the literature (e.g., regulations on 4 primary characteristics of OHV activity, increased communication and enforcement of existing OHV regulations) and discussed key remaining knowledge gaps. Our findings provide an evidence‐based foundation to guide future research and inform wildlife and land management decisions regarding OHV recreation.