How to use roads in the creation of greenways: case studies in three New Zealand landscapes

Roads have traditionally been taken for granted due to their economic and social significance as transportation and utility corridors. They can also have a significant impact on the environment by transversing areas of wildlife habitat, and are one of the most destructive elements in the habitat fragmentation process. This study analyses the degree to which the ‘greenway’ and ‘connectivity’ concepts can be applied in an integrated approach to managing road reserves and the adjacent landscape to facilitate the extension of ecological corridors and mitigate adverse environmental effects of the roading network. While the New Zealand landscape and road networks are currently managed independently, the study found that there is potential opportunity to use the New Zealand road network as greenways to achieve partial integration between conservation and land use systems. A coordinated approach between conservation managers, road construction and management authorities, local government, utility managers, landowners and others who have interests in roadside management is necessary if integration is to be successful. Changes are also needed in the design of roads within reserve areas so that road safety requirements are augmented by consideration of the character of the landscape matrix and the needs of species moving through the landscape.