Ecosystems

What Are Wildlife Corridors?

 
Josefina Bordino
By Josefina Bordino, Natural resources specialist. November 14, 2024
What Are Wildlife Corridors?

In a world where urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development continue to encroach upon natural habitats, wildlife corridors have emerged as a critical strategy for conservation. These pathways, which connect fragmented ecosystems, play a vital role in ensuring the survival of countless species by enabling them to move freely, find resources, and maintain genetic diversity. But what exactly are wildlife corridors? How do they function, and why are they essential for both biodiversity and the health of our planet?

This article by thedailyECO delves into the meaning and significance of wildlife corridors, exploring the various types and their importance in fostering ecological balance.

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Contents
  1. What are wildlife corridors?
  2. Types of wildlife corridors
  3. Why are wildlife corridors important?
  4. Examples of successful wildlife corridors

What are wildlife corridors?

Wildlife corridors link protected areas and natural habitats, creating safe paths for animals to move between them. These paths let wildlife find food, mates, and shelter in different areas. When you see a strip of forest connecting two nature reserves, you're looking at a wildlife corridor in action.

Animals use these corridors as seasonal travel routes. Deer walk through them to reach winter feeding grounds. Birds rest here during migration. Frogs and salamanders move to breeding ponds in spring, then head back to forest areas. These movements keep wildlife populations strong.

Wildlife corridors stop animals from breeding with close relatives. As animals move between areas, they meet new mates. This mixing keeps populations genetically healthy, especially important for small groups of animals. Fresh genes help species survive diseases and adapt to changes.

These paths become vital as the climate changes. When areas get too hot or dry, animals need to move. Wildlife corridors give them routes to better habitats. Without these paths, many species get stuck in areas they can't live in anymore.

What Are Wildlife Corridors? - What are wildlife corridors?

Types of wildlife corridors

Wildlife corridors come in three main types that help animals move safely between habitats.

Linear wildlife corridors

These corridors follow rivers, mountain ranges, and forest lines. They maintain an even width and create direct paths between habitats, like natural highways for animals. Rivers work especially well as linear corridors. For example, fish use the water while animals like deer travel along the banks to find food and breeding grounds.

Stepping stone wildlife corridors

These corridors link separate patches of habitat that animals use as rest stops. In cities, you'll see birds and insects moving between parks and gardens. These urban wildlife paths help animals survive in developed areas. A butterfly travels from garden to garden, finding food and shelter before reaching larger natural areas.

Landscape wildlife corridors

These form the largest type of wildlife corridor. They span broad areas of natural land between protected zones and include multiple habitats like forests, meadows, and wetlands. This mix helps many species thrive. Bears use these corridors extensively - sleeping in forested areas but hunting in open meadows within the same protected path.

What Are Wildlife Corridors? - Types of wildlife corridors

Why are wildlife corridors important?

Wildlife corridors protect animals and plants by connecting split-up natural areas. Here's how they help:

  • Healthy breeding: animals use these paths to find mates from other groups. This mixing of genes keeps populations strong and prevents inbreeding. When animals can't reach new mates, their groups become weak over time.

  • Safe travel routes: many animals need to move with the seasons to find food and breeding spots. A moose travels miles to reach winter feeding grounds. Birds stop at corridors during migration. These paths help them avoid dangerous road crossings and developed areas.

  • Fixing split habitats: roads, farms, and cities cut natural areas into pieces. Wildlife corridors stitch these pieces back together. A mountain lion needs large territories to hunt - corridors give it room to roam safely.

  • Climate change protection: as areas get warmer or drier, animals must move to survive. Wildlife corridors give them paths to better habitats. Without these routes, many species get trapped in areas that become too hot or dry.

  • Natural balance: when animals move freely, they keep nature in balance. Bees and butterflies pollinate plants. Birds spread seeds. Predators control prey populations. Corridors let these natural processes continue.

  • Fewer human conflicts: these paths guide animals around towns and farms. This means fewer car accidents with deer, less crop damage, and safer spaces for both wildlife and people.

  • Species protection: wildlife corridors often pass through areas rich in plant and animal life. By connecting these spots, corridors help protect more species.

Wildlife corridors bridge different natural zones. See how these zones form distinct ecoregions in our detailed guide.

Examples of successful wildlife corridors

Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y)

This corridor stretches 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles) from Wyoming to Canada's Yukon Territory. It enables bears, wolves, and elk to move safely through the Rocky Mountains. Special bridges and tunnels allow animals to cross highways. Studies reveal that grizzly bear populations have increased since the corridor's establishment.

European Green Belt

Spanning 12,400 kilometers (7,700 miles) through 24 countries, this corridor follows the path of the former Iron Curtain across Europe. Once a dividing line, it now enables lynx, wolves, and birds to move freely. Local communities are actively involved in protecting the area and promoting eco-tourism.

Australia’s Great Eastern Ranges

Running 3,540 kilometers (2,200 miles) along Australia’s east coast, this corridor safeguards the movement of koalas, kangaroos, and gliders between habitats. Local landowners collaborate to restore natural areas and manage invasive species, ensuring the corridor’s health.

Banff Wildlife Bridges

In Canada’s Banff National Park, 38 underpasses and 6 overpasses facilitate animal crossings along the Trans-Canada Highway. Wildlife cameras have recorded bears, moose, and elk using these crossings daily. Since their construction, vehicle collisions with animals have decreased by 80%.

Costa Rica’s Jaguar Corridor

This pathway connects jaguar populations from Mexico to Argentina. In Costa Rica, key forest patches are protected, and farmers are supported in creating wildlife-friendly practices. Camera traps frequently capture jaguars traveling through the corridor, highlighting its effectiveness.

Wildlife corridors help animals move between different environments. Explore the planet's diverse natural habitats.

If you want to read similar articles to What Are Wildlife Corridors?, we recommend you visit our Ecosystems category.

Bibliography
  • Environmental glossary: biological corridors, nature passageways. (2018). WWF. Extracted from: https://www.wwf.org.co/?328540/Glosario-ambiental-corredores-biologicos-pasadizos-de-la-naturaleza
  • Primack, R., Rozzi, R., Feinsinger, P., Dirzo, R., & Massardo, F. (1998). Fundamentals of biological conservation. Latin American perspectives.
  • Szpeiner, A., Martínez-Ghersa, M.A., & Ghersa, C. (2007). Pampas agriculture, biological corridors and biodiversity. Science Today, 17(101), 38-46.
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