An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Wildlife
Corridors charts some best practices and makes some new theoretical
contributions related to the design and creation of wildlife corridors
in Anthropocene times. The book not only provides much of the knowledge
necessary for a general and credible understanding of connectivity
projects, but also makes a unique theoretical contribution to current
knowledge about wildlife corridors by arguing that theories about
compassion, empathy, and traditional ecological knowledge should inform
wildlife corridor projects.
Wildlife corridors, or connectivity projects, are necessary, because
when land is set aside or used for human activities, habitats that were
once contiguous become fragmented. If species are unable to move between
these fragmented areas, they become at risk for inbreeding or
extinction. Wildlife corridors attempt to remediate such fragmentation
by restoring connectivity and creating expanses of habitat that can
provide species with important bridges and points of connection between
other habitats. Providing such linkages between habitats reduces these
risks and helps maintain genetic diversity and a population's health.
The book argues for a holistic approach to wildlife corridors that
attempts to account for a broad and varied range of stakeholder voices,
including those of the vulnerable nonhuman species that underpin the
need for corridor projects in the first place. This book should appeal
to general audiences and practitioners alike.