Impacts of roads and powerlines on the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Stage 2, July 2000

Through the Wet Tropics Plan, a number of roads and tracks have been closed or have restricted access because of their potential impact on flora and fauna. As part of a consultancy for the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Rainforest CRC researchers have monitored these impacts on native flora and fauna and the spread of exotic weeds and other pest organisms for a number of years.

This report details the results of the first two years monitoring and includes an assessment of the impact of road/track closure/opening on the Wet Tropics, an assessment of road/track damage through increased use and indicators of impacts of road opening/closure for future monitoring.

CONTENTS

• The effect of canopy closure and road verge habitat on small mammal community composition and movements
• Edge effects of roads and powerline clearings on microclimate
• Edge effects of roads and powerline clearings on rainforest vegetation
• Geochemical impacts on roadside soils in the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area as a result of transportactivities
• Vehicular noise disturbance in rainforest
• Evaluation of overpasses as crossing routes for arboreal species
• Road crossings by arboreal mammal species Questionnaire
• References
• Appendices