Wildlife Corridor
A connected strip of natural habitat that allows animals to move safely between separated patches of land.
Definition
A wildlife corridor is a linked area of habitat that connects otherwise isolated patches of land, allowing animals to migrate, find mates, and access resources without crossing dangerous human infrastructure like highways or developed areas.
Corridors are especially important for large, wide-ranging species and for maintaining genetic diversity in populations that would otherwise become isolated and inbred as habitat is fragmented by roads and development.
In Practice
A forested overpass built above a highway to let deer, bears, and other wildlife cross safely is a physical example of a wildlife corridor.