THE ROLE OF FAUNA UNDERPASSES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Underpasses have been constructed under many highways in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, usually where new roads have been constructed through suspected or known fauna habitat or movement corridors. Despite the clear potential benefits of underpasses in facilitating fauna movement, evidence of their effectiveness is limited, equivocal and usually relates to overseas situations. Some of the key concerns raised about the usefulness of underpasses relate to the cost of their installation, levels of predation by introduced carnivores and the extent to which it is expected to utilize artificial habitat for movement. The Australian Museum (through AMBS Consulting) and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, worked together to identify some typical underpass situations on the F3, a major freeway north of Sydney, and monitored their usage by native and introduced animals over a period of 9 months. Three underpasses were monitored which varied in respect to size, configuration, location and adjoining habitat and land use. The study utilized a remote photographic method that proved effective and demonstrated that a wide range of native animals will move through a number of different types of underpass, ranging from small (approximately 1.5 m diameter) to very large (10 m diameter). The largest underpass recorded the greatest range of native species, ranging from rats to wombats and wallabies; however, the most frequently used underpass was a 1.5 m pipe. Introduced animals also use tunnels but, in this study, to a lesser extent than previously speculated. It is concluded, therefore, that underpasses of varying sizes and designs can have a significant role to play in the safe movement of animals across road corridors, but that there are some clear guidelines to be observed in the location, design and management of these structures to optimize their efficacy.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 195-208
  • Monograph Title: PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WILDLIFE ECOLOGY AND TRANSPORTATION (ICOWET)

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00784510
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 9 2000 12:00AM