Keywords |
  • Sustainable development

Ecological corridor

An ecological corridor, which is different from a biological corridor or an ecological continuum, is a functional zone of passage between several natural zones for a group of species dependent on a single environment. This corridor therefore connects different populations and favours the spread and migration of species, as well as the re-colonisation of environments that have been disturbed.

For example, a footbridge that crosses over a motorway and links two forests areas is an ecological corridor. It allows the flora and fauna to circulate between the two zones despite the almost impermeable obstacle of the motorway. This is why this footbridge is called a wildlife corridor.

Ecological corridors are an essential element in conserving the biodiversity and proper functioning of ecosystems. Without their connectivity, a very large number of species would not have access to all of the habitats needed for their life cycles (reproduction, growth, refuge, etc.) and would be doomed to disappear in the more or less near future.

Moreover, exchanges between environments are an important resilience factor. They allow the speedy re-colonisation of an environment that has been disturbed (by fire, flooding, etc.) by species from neighbouring environments.

All the ecological corridors and the environments they connect form an ecological continuum for the specific type of environment and the species dependent on it.

This is why modern strategies for biodiversity conservation emphasise exchange between environments and not just the creation of sanctuaries, which are areas that preserve environments but which remain closed and isolated.

This wildlife corridor stretches over a road, allowing animals to circulate from one side of the infrastructure to the other. © Roulex_45 CC by-sa 3.0 This wildlife corridor stretches over a road, allowing animals to circulate from one side of the infrastructure to the other. © Roulex_45 CC by-sa 3.0

Ecological corridor - 1 Photo
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