Using canopy bridges to link habitat for arboreal mammals: successful trials in the Wet Tropics of Queensland
Nigel Weston A B C , Miriam Goosem A , Helene Marsh A , Martin Cohen A and Robyn Wilson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia.
B Current address: Natural Resource Management Board (NT), GPO Box 2775, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Nigel.Weston@nrmbnt.org.au
Australian Mammalogy 33(1) 93-105 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM11003
Submitted: 31 January 2011 Accepted: 18 February 2011 Published: 23 March 2011
Abstract
We investigated the use of inexpensive aerial bridges (rope canopy bridges) above roads and a highway by arboreal mammals in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. Three rope bridge designs were trialed, including a single rope, ladder-like bridges and tunnel-shaped bridges. Nine mammal species were recorded using canopy bridges, including five species or subspecies endemic to the Wet Tropics and three species listed as rare under State nature conservation legislation. Most of these species suffer severely from either the fragmentation or mortality impacts caused by roads. Over 50 crossings above a 15-m-wide tourist road were observed on an elevated ladder-like bridge. Longer (~40 m) rope bridges were used on several occasions by four species. Our observations suggest that canopy bridges can assist rare arboreal mammals to cross roads in the Wet Tropics, thereby reducing both the risk of road-kill and the potential for subpopulation isolation. Further research is required to ascertain the level of benefit afforded by canopy bridges for arboreal mammal populations. It is likely that rope canopy bridges will have broad application for a range of arboreal mammal species.
Additional keywords: canopy gap, Hemibelideus lemuroides, linear barriers, World Heritage Area.
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