Wildlife corridors: do they facilitate biotic movement? Evidence from the experimental literature

Abstract

Anthropogenic fragmentation of landscapes is a serious threat to wildlife habitats and the biodiversity of wildlife. To remedy this issue wildlife corridors have been implemented to mitigate the negative effects of fragmentation. Landscape manipulated to conduct corridor experiments have taken the initiative to answer the lingering question regarding corridor efficacy as movement conduits. It is the aim of this thesis to investigate empirical evidence derived from published literature of experimental corridor research that evaluated corridor-dispersal function. - Conduct a review of “Experimental” corridor literature published over the last 17 years (1993-2010). - Compare and contrast experimental variables including; methodological design, taxa studied, spatial and temporal scales as well as results. - Create a methodology to identify quality scientific evidence of corridor-dispersal function. - Examine the extent to which these experiments have contributed to nature conservation. A total of 28 documents were collected and reviewed. Research guidelines and the Ten Criteria for Experimental Documents were methods used to identify, collect and assess experimental corridor research for quality science. Two documents Haddad (1999) and Collinge (2000) were identified in presenting quality scientific evidence. Individual results from both Haddad (1999) and Collinge (2000) supported the efficacy of corridors through experimentation. Trends identified from comparative analysis include limited experimental habitats, with 64% of studies being conducted in forested environments, 32% being conducted in grassland environments and only 3% utilizing multi-landscapes. Methods most commonly used include mark-recapture-release (MRR), live trapping and vegetation sampling. Total experimental spatial scales ranged from 10-100 hectares for all studies and temporal range for consecutive studies averaged 18 months where as one-off studies ranged 14 months. Contributions these studies have made towards nature conservation include advancements in monitoring methods, technology and increased species diversity with regards to land management, ecological restoration and stewardship and the evolution and diversification of corridor ecological research.