| Abstract: | Summary Studies of forest fragmentation, particularly in the species-rich tropical zone, have contributed significantly to our understanding of its effects and impacts, and allow us to predict a cascade of flow-on effects likely to emerge in the coming decades. Practical management strategies to combat these effects, however, have not been forthcoming, despite intuitive assumptions and a growing body of scientific evidence that maintaining and restoring habitat connectivity is likely to be critical for the long-term persistence of many life forms in these fragmented landscapes. This paper reviews the potential problems involved with linkages, and examines some of the strategies adopted to overcome these issues in a linkage restoration project on the Atherton Tableland, in the Wet Tropics of north-eastern Australia. The paper concludes with the suggestion that restoration projects, such as the Donaghy's Corridor example, offer opportunities for researchers and practitioners to collaboratively observe and validate these strategies, and develop 'real world' techniques to reverse the ecological, social and economic effects of forest fragmentation. |
