DeStefano, S. 2009. Wildlife corridors and developed landscapes. Pages 85-102 in A. X. Esparza and G. R. McPherson, eds. The Planner's Guide to Natural Resource Conservation: The Science of Land Conversion Beyond the Metropolitan Fringe. Springer Book Publishers, New York, NY.
Abstract
Abstract: An obvious consequence of exurban land development is fragmentation of natural areas. Fragmentation leaves patches of habitat of various sizes, which can become increasingly isolated as development continues. A compelling approach to mitigation is the creation of corridors. Corridors in their simplest form are strips of habitat that connect patches and allow for wildlife movements. Intuitively, corridors make sense and land planners and managers often find them useful in land conservation. However, do wildlife corridors perform as expected? Do they work for all species? And how should they be configured (e.g., width, length, placement)? This chapter addresses these and other questions related to wildlife corridors and exurban land development.