Landscape Connectivity
space
The definition of landscape connectivity is “the degree to which the landscape facilitates or impedes movement among resource patches 1“. Without much awareness we humans, with our structure-building, often prohibit animals from traveling to the vital resources they need (water, food, non-related mates and dispersal of young). Many species have unique environmental and distribution requirements, but by-and-large the genetic diversity needed to keep a population healthy is dependent upon migration, mating and dispersal. As populations become more insular (trapped), inbreeding occurs, leaded to a decrease in natality and increased mortality. In the last decade, there have been ongoing efforts to mitigate anthropogenic barriers, whether on a grandiose scale or a backyard scale. It is my hope that we continue to make informed choices that have a positive effect our immediate environment.
