Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00195:reg:8:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00195
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 8 (pt 3/16)
Character Range: 134543–137662

species (Jackson, 2000e). An important part of this process has been to identify and prioritise wildlife corridors for protection, management and restoration (Jackson et al., 2020). The function of corridors is to provide continuity between populations by maintaining or restoring natural linkages between isolated habitats (Bennett 1990). Corridors do this by assisting in the movement of animals throughout their range, which promotes gene flow between otherwise isolated populations, facilitates movement from degraded, and altered habitat. These environmental changes may become increasingly important in the face of climate change and increases the availability of food and den sites.
The areas that are considered the greatest priority for management and restoration are recognised as 'corridors', while other areas that are considered of secondary importance and can be part of the next phase of active management are referred to as 'linkages'. Linkages provide minor connectivity within populations and longer-term supplementary connections. Ultimately a managed network of habitat corridors and linkages across the landscape needs to be established. Map 3 shows mapping of priority corridors and rates these corridors as very high, high, medium or low priority (Appendix B).
Population and habitat mapping, coupled with on-ground assessment, were used to identify the strategic locations for corridors and linkages and determine which ones need to be enhanced, restored or created to enable the movement of Mahogany Gliders within and between populations. Where these corridors exist they may need to be widened, extended or have additional plantings added. Other areas will require restoration of habitat and/or the installation of glider poles or rope bridges, which have proven successful in facilitating glider movement between otherwise isolated fragments of habitat (Bennett, 1990; Ball & Goldingay, 2008; Goldingay et al., 2004; 2011; 2013; Weston et al., 2011).
In collaboration with landholders, restoration and management strategies will be developed for the highest priority corridors and adjacent habitat areas. Vegetation mapping and a series of corridor specific, landholder workshops will be conducted to further refine the threats and threat abatement actions required for each corridor. These strategies need to be reviewed every two years to assess the effectiveness of the restoration and/or management plans for priority corridors and habitat refuge areas that have been implemented in the previous years.
Corridor management and restoration on private property will primarily be achieved through incentives for landholders to undertake revegetation, installation of wildlife-friendly fencing, implementation of appropriate fire regimes, weed reduction activities and not overstocking. Part of this process will involve working with landholders to reintroduce trees suitable for the Mahogany Glider (Table 10).
Corridors should ideally be in the form of habitat, however, in some cases it may be more appropriate (especially in the short-term) to install glider poles or rope bridges.
Where