benefiting ecosystem processes (Bennett 1998). Alternatively, some studies
have warned of the potential costs of corridors, such as the risk of spread of
biotic and abiotic disturbances to remnant populations and habitats, the
potential for increased wildlife mortality in corridors, and insufficient infor-
mation on whether the financial costs of corridors could be better invested in
other conservation initiatives (e.g., purchasing land). The benefits and costs of
corridors are considered in the following sections (Figure 3.1).
Benefits of Corridors
Major landscape functions of corridors include facilitating movements of
wildlife through the landscape, providing habitat, and aiding ecosystem
processes.
Facilitating Different Types of Movement
An array of studies has demonstrated that habitat corridors can facilitate the
movement of wildlife. Three types of movement have been described: local,
migratory, and dispersal (Bennett 1990). Although few studies have been con-
ducted in tropical rainforest, there is evidence that some species of mammals,
birds, butterflies, and beetles will undertake local movements through corri-
52 I. Conservation Biology and Landscape Ecology in the Tropics
Figure 3.1. An illustrative summary of four major landscape functions of corridors:
pathway, habitat, population sink, and barrier.