Our landscapes are a product of generations of urban expansion, infrastructure development and intensive land use. More intensive farming practices were introduced into East Lothian in the 1700s as part of the wider agricultural revolution across Scotland. These processes have left a pattern of fragmented natural habitats where wildlife populations face significant challenges.
In Scotland, the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 outlines a vision for a nature-positive future, emphasising the restoration and regeneration of biodiversity across the country by 2045. An underlying principle to achieving this transformation is through the definition and implementation of ‘nature corridors’.
Nature Corridors
Nature corridors, also known as wildlife corridors or ecological corridors, are swathes of natural habitat that connect fragmented patches of ecosystems with higher biodiversity. These can range from wide swaths of native woodland bridging two nature reserves to vegetated bridges spanning busy roads. Their purpose is simple yet powerful: to allow wildlife to move more freely across the landscape.
The Issues with Nature Fragmentation
Fragmentation disrupts ecosystems in several ways:
- Isolation of Populations: When animals are confined to small habitat patches, their populations can become genetically isolated. This reduces genetic diversity, making species more vulnerable to diseases and reducing their adaptability to changing environments.
- Disrupted Migration and Dispersal: Many species depend on seasonal migration or the dispersal of young individuals to maintain population health. Fragmentation can block these movements, leading to declines or local extinctions.
- Edge Effects: Smaller, isolated patches often suffer from edge effects—conditions that occur at the boundaries of habitat fragments (like increased sunlight, wind exposure, or invasive species) that can degrade habitat quality.
Scientific Benefits of Nature Corridors
The value of ecological corridors has been widely acknowledged in scientific research studies – see for example ‘Corridor Ecology’.
Their benefits include:
- Enhanced Gene Flow: Nature corridors promote genetic exchange between isolated wildlife populations, increasing genetic diversity and resilience.
- Facilitated Species Migration and Range Shifts: Corridors enable species to move in response to environmental changes, such as climate shifts, ensuring their survival.
- Population Stability and Rescue Effects: Corridors support the “rescue effect,” where individuals from healthy populations bolster declining ones, preventing local extinctions.
- Support for Ecosystem Services: By facilitating the movement of pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators, corridors help maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
Scotland’s Commitment to Ecological Connectivity
The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 emphasises the importance of ecological connectivity. It outlines a vision for a nature-positive future, aiming to restore and regenerate biodiversity across the country by 2045. The strategy specifically highlights the role of habitat corridors and stepping stones in enhancing ecological connectivity,