luontokäytäviä

Luontokäytävät, also known as ecological corridors or wildlife corridors, are a concept in conservation biology. They refer to a series of habitats or landscapes that connect fragmented ecosystems, allowing for the movement of species between otherwise isolated areas. These corridors can be natural or human-made and vary in size and form.

The primary purpose of luontokäytävät is to mitigate the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation, a common consequence of human development such as urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure projects. By providing pathways for movement, these corridors help maintain genetic diversity within populations, facilitate recolonization of areas where species have disappeared, and support the dispersal of young individuals seeking new territories.

Luontokäytävät can take many forms. They might be strips of forest connecting larger woodland patches, riverine corridors lined with vegetation, or even underpasses and overpasses designed to allow animals to safely cross roads. The effectiveness of a luontokäytävä depends on its width, the quality of the habitat it provides, and the presence of barriers that might impede movement.

The establishment and maintenance of luontokäytävät are important tools for biodiversity conservation. They are often integrated into land-use planning and protected area management strategies to ensure the long-term survival of species and the ecological integrity of landscapes.