Enigmatic ecological impacts of mining and linear infrastructure development in Australia's Great Western Woodlands

Conservation of large, relatively intact landscapes in the face of widespread development such as r,esource extraction, is a challenge of global conservation significance. In particular, 'enigmatic' ecological impacts that commonly evade consideration in conservation strategies invariably pervade such landscapes. I investigated the significance and ecological implications of linear infrastructure (e.g. roads, tracks and railways) largely associated with mining activity in the largest and most intact remaining temperate woodland on earth. I discovered significant effects on attributes of key ecosystem processes, including predator activity and water movement and recommend ways in which these impacts could be ameliorated.