Native vegetation in road and rail corridors represents a storehouse of natural biodiversity. This

• may be the only original native vegetation remaining in districts that have been extensively cleared
• may provide the last refuge for some species in that locality
• often contains rare plant species
• is an important source of local seed for revegetation projects.

Road and rail reserves also provide natural habitat corridors for the movement of birds and other fauna.

Protecting and managing roadside vegetation can contribute significantly to the conservation of the State’s remaining natural biodiversity.

Native vegetation in transport corridors also provides the following benefits

• protects the soil against wind and water erosion
• provides shelter to crops or grazing animals on adjacent land
• prevents or suppresses weed growth and therefore reduces long term road maintenance costs
• easier to maintain and often less fire-prone than introduced vegetation such as weeds
• helps delineate curves along roads for motorists

More information on biodiversity is available from

• South Australian Department for Environment & Heritage
• ARRB Transport Research