University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2001 Exploring the corridor concept K. Anna Marshall The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Marshall, K. Anna, "Exploring the corridor concept" (2001). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4736. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4736 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission Author's Signature: Date: I/W/o Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY l i t V- Montana -'ermission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cif published works and reports re: I vny copying for commercial ** 'e author's explicit consent Exploring the Corridor Concept by K. Anna Marshall BA, The University of Montana, Missoula, 1994 presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, The University of Montana, December 2001 Approved by Chairperson Dean, Graduate School ( - - 02 ^ Date UMI Number: EP40200 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI EP40200 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 - 1346 Abstract Marshall, K. Anna MS, December 2001 Environmental Studies Exploring the Corridor Concept Chairperson: Len Broberg, PhD, JD The Corridor Concept is a strategy for mitigating habitat fragmentation and preventing species extinctions. It is the idea that species may survive best when nature reserves, or patches of habitat, connect—even if they only connect by one or more relatively narrow strips of habitat. The concept developed over the last century, although the theoretical foundations were not identified until the mid 1960s and 1970s. Today many kinds of professionals—researchers, land managers, timber-industry professionals, developers—apply the concept although few guiding principles for when and how to apply it exist. This paper is a literature review and synthesis of the Corridor Concept, seeking to improve communication on the topic among researchers and land managers. In addition to describing the evolution of the Corridor Concept, the paper • identifies potential ecological benefits and costs described in the literature, • explores the definition of “corridor” and related terms, • summarizes shortcomings of studies on corridors and identifies future directions for research, • gives information on the use of corridors by various species, and • lists things to consider when planning and managing corridors. In summary, the literature suggests that • many species will use corridors, • corridor planning and management issues are numerous and complex, • monitoring the effects of individual land management decisions can add to existing information, • written communication on this concept needs improving, • researchers and land managers should work together to develop guiding principles for applying the concept. ii Acknowledgements Just as every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow” (The Talmud), I have been lucky enough to have angels around me whispering, “Finish, finish.” I have many people to thank. First, I would like to thank committee chairperson L Broberg. Without his patience, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback, I never would have finished. Also, thank you to committee members J W Thomas and V Watson and to UM faculty members G Brenner, B Chaloupka, and T Roy. I learned much from each of you. Next, thank you to fellow graduate students and friends V Clark, S Koelle, and M Heitchue for inspiration and support. Especially, thank you, N King. For both support and consultation, thanks very, very much to E Compas, C Gebhardt, S Kercher, J Howard, S T Riemann, E Scheuering, and J Silkwood. Thank you to P Burgess, M Connelly, C Hurly, J Muiderman, and R Scheuering for encouragement. Thank you to K Marshall for appropriate heckling. Thank you to E Stults, for giving me time off work to finish, and to my supportive co-workers at PRO-West. Finally, I wish to express much appreciation to my incredibly patient husband C Krumm—both for reviewing the paper and for withstanding my ongoing becoming. About This Paper I wrote this paper to fulfill professional paper requirements for a Master of Science degree, Environmental Studies, The University of Montana. The following information may help readers navigate the paper. Study summaries Brief summaries of the studies I discuss within the body of the text can be found in appendix A. Summaries are alphabetized by citation. I hope readers refer to these studies often, especially when reading sections 4—6. Scientific and common names I use mostly common names. Scientific names can be found in appendix D. Style manual and citations I used this style manual: Style Manual Committee, Council of Biology Editors. 1994. Scientific style and format: the CBE manual for authors, editors, and publishers, 6th edition. All citations are name-year citations and refer to primary sources except where preceded by “see” (for example, “see Harris and Scheck 1991”). Contents 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and audience of this paper............................................................................... 3 Purpose.......................................................................... >.......................................... 3 Audience ....................................................................................................................4 Development, direction, and conventions of this paper................................................4 Development.............................................................................................................4 Direction....................................................................................................................6 Conventions........................................................................................ 7 2. Evolution and Importance of the Corridor Concept................................................10 Evolution...................................................................................................................... 10 The Greenways Movement.....................................................................................10 Land management ...................................................................................................11 Theoretical foundations...........................................................................................11 Further development........................................................................................... 13 Timeline...................... 14 The Corridor Concept today.........................................................................................16 Potential ecological benefits.................. 17 Potential ecological costs ...............................................................................19 Applications............................................................................................................20 Section Summary.........................................................................................................21 3. Definition and Description of Corridors.................................................................... 22 Difficulty defining corridor........................................................................................ 22 Numerous “corridor-related terms”........................................................................23 Lack of differentiation among terms...................................................................... 28 Lack of standard citation ........................................................................................ 35 Lack of standard definition .................................................................................... 35 Differing definitions............................................................................................... 40