luontokäytävät

Luontokäytävät, also known as ecological corridors or wildlife corridors, are linear or patchy areas of natural or semi-natural habitat that connect otherwise isolated natural areas. Their primary purpose is to facilitate the movement of organisms between these fragmented habitats. This movement is crucial for various ecological processes, including species dispersal, gene flow, and migration. By providing safe passage, luontokäytävät help prevent populations from becoming isolated, which can lead to reduced genetic diversity and increased risk of local extinction.

These corridors can take many forms, from large, continuous forests and river valleys to smaller, more dispersed elements like hedgerows, tree-lined roads, and even stepping-stone habitats. Their effectiveness depends on factors such as width, connectivity, and the quality of the habitat they provide. Luontokäytävät are often established as part of landscape planning and conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of human development, such as urbanization and agricultural intensification, which often fragment natural landscapes.

The concept of luontokäytävät recognizes that ecosystems are not static and that species require the ability to move and interact across landscapes to survive and adapt to environmental changes. Implementing and maintaining these corridors is a key strategy for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of ecosystems.