Goosem, Miriam (2008) Rethinking road ecology. In: Stork, Nigel E., and Turton, Stephen M., (eds.) Living in a Dynamic Tropical Forest Landscape. Blackwell Publishing, Carlton, VIC, Australia, pp. 445-459.

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Abstract

[Extract] Over the past 17 years, sound ecologically based research into impacts has provided the information necessary, while changes in legislative policy have provided the impetus, to employ strategies for mitigation of the impacts of roads and highways through rainforest ecosystems. Such strategies include: road designs that avoid rainforest habitat or rehabilitation of habitat previously disturbed by redundant linear infrastructure; the maintenance or re-establishment of rainforest tree canopy above narrow roads and the identification and planting of tree species that create canopy over wider roads without dropping branches; the minimization of clearing width; engineering solutions for connectivity of habitat that include canopy bridges for arboreal animals and underpasses with furniture for cover or bridges that retain habitat underneath for terrestrial wildlife; the erection of powerlines or road bridges above the canopy. Collaboration between researchers, road authorities, government agencies and conservation groups has applied this research to upgrades of several roads and powerlines through Wet Tropics rainforest. Serial modifications of road designs and funding from Queensland Department of Main Roads (QDMR) for research into knowledge gaps ensured best practice environmental outcomes based on the latest research. The accumulated knowledge base is applicable to roads through rainforests throughout the world.

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