An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Wildlife Corridors Conservation, Compassion and Connectivity

About this book

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 of 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.

Contents

Part I: Concepts, Considerations, and Perspectives in the Theory and Practice of Wildlife Corridors
1. Introduction
2. Key Concepts and Ideas
3. Design and Management
4. Communication across Audiences
5. Emerging Theoretical Perspectives

Part II: Illustrative Cases: Theory in Practice
1. The Wildlife Crossing on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana: Respecting the Spirit of Place
2. The Monkton Wildlife Crossing and the Rare Blue-spotted Salamander: Vermont’s First Amphibian Crossing Tunnels
3. The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in Hawaii: Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Fishing Communities, and Migratory Marine Transit Corridors
4. The Railway from Oxford to London Marylebone: Transportation Upgrade Meets Compassion for Vulnerable Habitats
5. Aero-Corridors in U.S. Cities: Light Pollution and Migratory Birds

Part III: Looking Ahead: Best Practices and New Perspectives Related to Wildlife Corridors
1. Conclusion
2. Best Practices and New Theoretical Directions

Notes
Works Cited
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Amy D. Propen is an associate professor of writing at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of Visualizing Posthuman Conservation in the Age of the Anthropocene.