Working to restore fragmented habitats

Urbanisation continues to have a profound effect on biodiversity, with the North Coast being no exception as more developments continue to fragment the habitat of wildlife.

But a project within the Zimbali Estate is proving effective at restoring free movement of wildlife, while also stabilising population figures of animals such as genet, mongoose, cane rat, blue duiker, amphibians and reptiles.

Zimbali Estate environmental manager Brendan Smith said they introduced eco-passages last September with the goal of creating a ‘wildlife corridor,’ through which animals can move safely on the estate.

“Wildlife corridors are commonplace in Europe, Asia and America, designed with fencing and culverts, underpasses or overpasses that provide small animals with a safe way to cross between two habitats,” he said.

Zimbali Estate and its surrounds boast a high level of biodiversity.

“Many of these animals patrol the perimeter fence looking for a way to traverse it to access additional food, habitats and mating opportunities,” said Smith.

The same applies for wildlife inside the estate, now gaining access to exterior habitats.

Smith said while the fence line around the estate is great for safeguarding residents, it presented a barrier to the free movement of wildlife and the connectivity of habitats that have been intersected by the fence line.

“This isolation impacts on genetic diversity, available food sources and habitat availability.”

Through monitoring the eco-passages, the environmental team at Zimbali Estate have seen increased movement of certain species of wildlife.

“Habitat fragmentation due to human development is an ever-increasing threat to biodiversity, and eco-passages are a possible mitigation.”

Reconnecting these fragmented habitats decreases population fluctuations dramatically.

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