IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| G”rner, M. | |
| Corridors and wildcats (_Felis silvestris_) | |
| 2014 S„ugetierkundliche Informationen (9): 379-398 | |
Habitat connectivity, wildlife corridors and stepping stones are discussed in conservation since 1985 and are widely promoted as key factor in conservation to overcome fragmentation of habitats and thus populations. It is briefly indicated that a number of different definitions have been proposed and discussed. There is only one type of generally accepted natural corridors: riparian vegetation of water courses. Others are man made. The probable benefits of corridors are often cited but there are still hardly any studies on terrestrial European mammals to show the efficiency of corridors nor studies on how corridors can serve a single species, several species or a whole community best. As the idea of corridors is such a convincing tool to overcome fragmentation, there are few critical remarks often not discussed in practical conservation. In Germany wildlife corridors are currently mainly promoted in connection with the wildcat depicted as a key species for intact natural woodlands. The wildcat seems to be the best suitable species for conservation to promote any idea as the cat is probably the most loved pet species at least in Germany. But the critical question whether wildcats and other species often cited in this context (e.g. wolf and deer) are in need of corridors and do not use existing structures in the landscape for migration is posed. To enhance the structural diversity of mainly agricultural landscapes particularly the restoration of riparian vegetation and natural embankments is seen as positive and is proposed as conservation measure. And to reduce the generally high rate of deaths due to traffic in many mammals the construction of green bridges or other crossing structures over or under infrastructure lines (e.g. highways, high speed railways lines) at sites of high conflict potential is suggested. |
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