Building artificial habitat structures for wildlife comes with risks and rewards, according to new research out of Murdoch University—and those creating them must use rigorous science to underpin their use, or risk doing more harm than good.

“But artificial habitat structures can be a double-edged sword,” Duncan said.

"Many of the world’s natural environments are irreparably modified and damaged, so species have lost critical habitat components that they need to survive.

They also need to support the conservation of wildlife populations over the long term and should be monitored.