Conservation Management Notes
Wildlife on your property
Corridors and connectivity
This note looks at how corridors might be used to maximise
the wildlife habitat value of a fragmented landscape, and
what to consider when planning a corridor project.
In agricultural and other developed landscapes, natural
habitat is often only available in small, isolated patches. These
landscapes are unable to support their full complement of
native plants and wildlife, and those that have survived may
be in difficulty. To restore landscape connectivity, many
revegetation projects in recent decades have aimed not only
to increase the area of habitat but to also re-link isolated
natural areas with corridors.
Types of corridors
Linear or strip corridors are continuous, or mostly
continuous, bands of vegetation or waterway.
Stepping stones are isolated patches of vegetation, single
trees, or wetlands or farm dams. The patches become a
corridor when the distance between them is small enough for The superb blue wren will make use of planted
habitat within a few years, however many other
some species to be able to move from one patch to the next. birds will only use large areas of healthy native
Even single paddock trees are valuable and can act as stepping vegetation. Our knowledge of how animals might
stones or provide habitat for some species. use corridors is still quite limited. Photo: V Bear
C
A
Remnants of native vegetation in an agricultural landscape. Roadside vegetation forms a strip corridor linking patch A with patch B.
A series of small remnants and paddock trees form a stepping stone corridor linking B and C.
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Conservation Management Notes
The role of corridors
Expanding available habitat by allowing movement between patches. An island of bush will only be
able to sustain a limited number of plant and animal species. Many animals do not like crossing cleared
areas as it exposes them to predators. Cleared areas may be impossible for an arboreal (tree dwelling)
animal to cross.
Linking these ‘islands’ with corridors suitable for animals to move through can potentially expand the total
size of the habitat patch, allowing animals to forage over a much wider area, to expand their home range,
to maintain their seasonal movements and, for some species, their continued migration. Plants and fungi
may also move through corridors, as their seeds or spores are often spread by animals and wind.
Enabling recolonisation. If a population of animals is reduced by a bushfire or predator, it will usually be
replaced by animals from other areas. But if the habitat is isolated, new animals may not be able to reach
it. Corridors may help by re-connecting isolated patches.
Providing additional habitat. More than just allowing species to move from one habitat area to another,
corridors can provide habitat where native birds and animals can live permanently. In those parts of
NSW which have been extensively cleared, such as the wheat-sheep belt of the Central Division, the only
places where some habitats remain are in corridors such as along roadsides and travelling stock routes.
Consequently, these may be the only areas where local animal species can survive.
Connecting gene pools. Many species of native animals are not migratory or nomadic and may have
small territories (home ranges). Long-term survival depends on the movement of genes from one
population to another over many generations. Where corridors are broken, populations of native plants
and animals (even those living in protected habitats) may become isolated and may eventually become
inbred. This can lead to local or regional extinctions.
Building and managing corridors
Protect and enhance existing remnant vegetation and corridors first
It is sometimes easy to recognise opportunities at a local scale for new linkages, or identify vegetation
that is already providing a corridor. However, for an overview of the broader landscape, and to set
priorities, good-quality vegetation maps or aerial photos are essential.
Vegetation maps will highlight existing corridors and show whether they connect to other vegetation
patches, such as travelling stock reserves, state forests or conservation reserves, and help clarify where
new corridors are most needed. Tree-cover maps are useful, but these do not show all vegetation
communities, and often completely miss grassland, shrubland or sparse woodland areas. Therefore, the
vegetation map should show structural formations and plant associations.
Internet based systems such as Google Earth are an excellent resource. The CMA, Local Council or
Landcare group may also be able to assist with aerial photography.
Local and regional linkages
Some corridors will be important at a regional scale as they assist migratory and nomadic species to move
across a large area, as well as connecting the gene pools of widely dispersed populations. Other corridors
will be more significant on a local or property scale as they connect two or three areas of isolated habitat.
If new corridors are to be established, three strategies for optimising their effect for both wildlife
and property management are:
• Joining or reducing gaps in stepping stone corridors, especially if the gap is over one kilometre — the
maximum separation distance for patches to provide connectivity and act as a corridor is generally
accepted to be 100 metres.
• Connecting large, isolated patches of vegetation — blocks greater than one hectare generally provide
the best habitat, but the larger the better. Corridors between small, isolated, degraded remnants of
vegetation, or plantings would be beneficial, but probably less valuable as these areas are likely to
have a low diversity of native plants and animals.
• Linking two or more corridors of regional significance.
Catchment management authorities and local councils are a good source of advice about corridor planning.
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Conservation Management Notes
Corridor priorities and tips
Take advantage of any natural resilience in
the landscape. Where there is a choice for
the location of the corridor, incorporate
areas of native tree, shrub or grassland
regrowth, existing isolated trees, and Remnant
native
permanent water sources. If possible, avoid woodland
areas that have been heavily fertilised. This
will optimise the opportunities for natural
regeneration once the corridor is fenced.
Avoid excessively weedy areas as they will
require additional on-going maintenance. swampy
In some circumstances, it may be necessary areas native regrowth
to include such areas to make connections
between isolated patches or to improve old paddock
the vegetation connectivity along riparian trees to be
fenced
zones, provided that weeds are managed.
Fence around paddock trees to allow for
scattered native trees
natural regeneration. with some native grasses
Plant new paddock trees. and fallen timber
Waterways form important corridors, and
revegetation along the banks can improve
new fenceline
corridor water quality as well as corridor
width. Planted
Consider revegetating prominent sites so sheltebelt
that the scenic quality of the local area
and the region is enhanced — this might
also add to the asset value of individual
properties.
Create or widen corridors along existing Creek with riparian
fence lines — this way only one side needs vegetation
to be fenced.
If planning shelterbelts, windbreaks or
woodlots, consider whether they can be Plan of a new corridor, including existing
positioned to also serve as corridors. habitat features and sources of resilience.
The wider the better. In general the wider the corridor, or the larger the patch, the more resilient it will be,
and the greater its habitat value, so a wider range of species will have a chance of using it. Wide corridors
have a core area free from edge effects, and may provide enough resources for some species to live
within them. However, even the narrowest of corridors have value — a line of shrubs by a roadside may
host insects and rare plants. The aim of the project may influence corridor width — if it is to connect two
isolated populations of a particular animal, the corridor should be designed to meet their requirements.
Mimic the composition and structure of healthy local vegetation. New corridors should use local
native plant species. This is particularly important in enabling corridors to become habitat, especially
in extensively cleared areas where little of the indigenous vegetation remains. Plantings should have
a similar structure to reference sites or benchmarks for the vegetation type. The local catchment
management authority (CMA) can provide information.
Maximise structural complexity. A well-structured corridor would include a variety of species and layers
such as leaf litter, fallen timber, grasses and groundcovers, shrubs and trees (depending on the character
of the local vegetation) - this generally offers habitat for a wider range of species.
Fallen timber is an important habitat feature that takes many decades to develop — give a new corridor a
head start by including areas with fallen timber, or if fallen timber has to be cleared from another area add
it to the corridor.
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Conservation Management Notes
Assessing the landscape with vegetation maps, and aerial
photography Typical places where
corridors of native
It is sometimes easy to recognise opportunities at a local scale for new
linkages, or identify vegetation that is already providing a corridor.
vegetation can be found
However, for an overview of the broader landscape, and to set include:
priorities, good-quality vegetation maps or aerial photos are essential. • along roadsides
Internet based systems such as Google Earth have made aerial • along travelling stock
photography very accessible and are an excellent resource. The CMA, routes
Local Council or Landcare group may also be able to assist with aerial
photography and vegetation maps. • along rivers, creeks and
other drainage lines
Vegetation maps show existing corridors and whether they connect
to other vegetation patches, such as travelling stock reserves, state • around wetlands, dams
forests or conservation reserves. They help clarify where new corridors and lakes
are most needed. Tree-cover maps are useful, but do not show all • along railway lines
vegetation communities, and often completely miss grassland,
shrubland or sparse woodland areas. Therefore, the vegetation map • along disused roads
should show structural formations and plant associations. • along ridges
• along fence lines.
Maintenance and monitoring
New corridors, and existing corridors that are in degraded condition, will require on-going maintenance
— particularly the control of environmental weeds. Fencing needs to be maintained and, as with all
land, feral and pest animals must be controlled. In some cases, strategic grazing may assist in weed
management.
It is important to find out if and how animals are using corridors. Monitoring, such as regular bird counts,
will inform property management in general, and the design of future revegetation.
The more generalist animals such as wrens and the scarlet robin, and many insects, may start using new
corridors within a few years, but as with all plantings, new corridors will take many decades to approach
the complexity and character of natural vegetation (e.g. old trees and fallen timber), required by many
species. We still have much to learn about how animals and plants use planted corridors — particularly
older corridors.
Useful references corridor, an independent report to the
Interstate Agency Working Group (Alps Published by Office of Environment and
To Atherton Connectivity Conservation Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet
Related Conservation Management Notes: NSW.
Working Group) convened under the
• Restoring native vegetation:
Environment Heritage and Protection 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney
regenerate or revegetate?
Council/Natural Resource Management PO Box A290, Sydney South 1232
• Natural regeneration Ministerial Council, DECCW www.
• Revegetation p: 02 9995 5000
environment.nsw.gov.au/ger/science.htm
• Integrating wildlife conservation and e:
[email protected] Munro N & Lindenmayer D 2011,
farm management Planting for wildlife: a practical guide w: www.environment.nsw.gov.au
• Watching wildlife to restoring native woodlands CSIRO ISBN 978 1 74293 314 6
Bennett AF 2003, Linkages in the Publishing OEH 2011/0657
landscape: the role of corridors and Platt SJ 2002, How to plan wildlife A key source is: Sheahan M (ed) 1998 VegNotes
connectivity in wildlife conservation, IUCN landscapes: a guide for community 2.4 Corridors of Vegetation Murray Catchment
Bennett, et al. 2000 Revegetation and organisations, Department of Management Committee and Department of Land
wildlife: a guide to enhancing revegetated Natural Resources and Environment, & Water Conservation. Other sources include the
habitats for wildlife conservation in rural Melbourne www.dse.vic.gov.au/__data/ references listed and contributions from various
environments, Australian Government assets/pdf_file/0017/100358/How_to_ individuals.
Dept of Environment and Heritage www. plan_wildlife_landscapes.pdf The views expressed in this publication do
environment.gov.au/land/publications/ Salt D & Lindenmayer D 2008 Is not necessarily represent those of OEH. Whilst
pubs/revegwild.pdf revegetation good for biodiversity? Land every effort has been made to ensure that the
Lindenmayer DB et al 2011, What makes a & Water Australia http://lwa.gov.au/files/ information is accurate at the time of printing, OEH
good farm for wildlife? CSIRO Publishing products/native-vegetation-program/ cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
Lindenmeyer DB & Fischer J 2006, Habitat pn21580/pn21580.pdf
fragmentation and landscape change: Wilson A& Lindenmayer DB 1995, Supported by
an ecological and conservation synthesis, Wildlife corridors and the conservation
CSIRO Publishing of biodiversity – a review, Centre for
Mackey B, Watson J & Worboys GL of ANU Resource and Environmental Studies,
Enterprises Pty Ltd 2010, Connectivity Australian National University, Canberra
conservation and the great eastern ranges
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