The need for a more sophisticated approach toward wildlife corridor design in the multiple-use forests of southeastern Australia: the case for mammals

Abstract

The native eucalypt forests of southeastern Australia are managed for wood production, water protection, human recreation and the conservation of plants and wildlife. One strategy to conserve forest wildlife within wood production areas involves the use of unlogged strips or corridors of habitat. Most corridors are situated in gullies within forest catchments. However, a review of recent studies undertaken in southeastern Australia shows that many species of forest mammals either require habitat outside of gullies to find food and shelter, or make regular movements between forest on different parts of the topographic sequence. These findings illustrate that strategies for the design and implementation of wildlife corridors need to become more sophisticated and ensure: (i) the conservation of forest on ridges and midslopes, and (ii) the linkage of uncut stands on ridges and midslopes with forest in gullies.