What are wildlife corridors?
Wildlife corridors are patches of vegetation linking wildlife habitats together. They are essential for the effective functioning of ecosystems, as they enable animals to safely travel through the urban environment.
Wildlife corridors are composed of different levels of vegetation including the ground-level, understorey and canopy layers. Each of these layers can include a multiple plant types, such as grasses, shrubs and trees. These vegetation layers form the habitat needed for wildlife.
Large habitats with a high diversity of plants species tend to attract a larger number of wild animal species. In Melbourne suburbs, urban green spaces such as parks, reserves and golf courses are essential for the conservation of the local species, including kangaroos, possums or even cockatoos. Vegetation patches along creeks and rivers are often the main wildlife corridors in this city, as shown in the aerial photo below.
Yarra River, Melbourne (Source: Google Earth)
Why do we need wildlife corridors?
Wildlife habitats are more fragmented than ever before, and are diminishing across the landscape. Built urban areas, such as roads, are often impassable obstacles for many animals, forcing them to stay in their last and only refuge option in a nearby park or reserve.
Source: Shutterstock
Wildlife corridors are essential in a rapidly developing neighbourhood. Indeed, they connect fragmented areas of habitat allowing isolated animal populations to mix in order to breed, travel in search of food, and migrate.
Animal movements across the landscape are essential. While traveling, wildlife can pollinate, disperse seeds, and can even control unwanted pests animals! Imagine yourself relaxing on your comfortable deckchair after a long day at work, sipping a glass of your favourite drink without being constantly harassed by our dear mosquitos… This would be possible if you help Microbat's feel home again in your neighbourhood. You relax, and they protect you. Fantastic, right?
Wildlife corridors are necessary for the conservation of our native species. Green areas also play an important role in the regulation of the climate, reducing the urban heat island effect, absorbing stormwater, and contribute to human wellbeing.
Source: Shutterstock
Where can I see one?
The closest wildlife corridor to your home might be along the creek running across your neighbourhood. It could also be represented by paddocks between two patches of bush, the roadside vegetation along your local main road, or even the vegetation growing on the nature strips on your street. It might be difficult sometime to identify them, as their quality can vary a lot.
As a Melbournian Wild Dweller, I want to highlight the Mullum Mullum Tunnel as a very good example of effort made to preserve an important wildlife corridor. This tunnel enables vehicles to pass under the Mullum Mullum valley, without affecting the wildlife and sensitive landscape above.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
How can I contribute to wildlife protection?
You can contribute to the creation of a wildlife corridor by greening your available outdoor spaces, including your apartment balcony! It may not link the patches of bush straight away, but it will likely be used as a “stepping-stone” by your local wildlife.
Improving your own living spaces for native species will certainly encourage your neighbours to do the same, and by doing so, may be the beginning of a new wildlife corridor and happy animals.
You can also join our next workshop “I want my street to become a wildlife corridor” which will provide you with the right tools to begin your wild journey.
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