An evaluation of small-mammal use of constructed wildlife crossings in ski resorts

Published source details Schroder M. & Sato C.F. (2017) An evaluation of small-mammal use of constructed wildlife crossings in ski resorts. Wildlife Research, 44, 259-268.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Install underpasses beneath ski runs Action Link

Install underpasses beneath ski runs

A replicated study in 2009–2013 in a woodland, heath, and grassland site in New South Wales, Australia (Schroder & Sato 2017) found that boulder-filled crossings beneath ski slopes were used by small mammals. Seven mammal species were detected using crossings. From 131 detections where mammals were identified to species, the most frequent were bush rat Rattus fuscipes (62 detections), broad-toothed rat Mastacomys fuscus (35 detection), dusky antechinus Antechinus swainsonii (21 detections) and black rat Rattus rattus (10 detections). Eight boulder-filled crossings were constructed under ski runs on grass slopes of a ski area that operated in June–September. Crossings linked remnant heath or woodland. Crossings comprised trenches, 0.4–2.4 m deep, 1–9 m wide, 12–79 m long and filled with rocks of 0.2–2 m diameter. Mammal passage was monitored using hair tubes every 3–6 m (4–13 tubes/crossing). Most crossings were surveyed biannually (7 days in each March–April and November–December) from March 2009 to April 2013.

(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)