The Hub Conservation Area - Montanans 4 Safe Wildlife Passage

their habitat (Hilty et al., 2006), thus implyinga need for functional connectivity. Corridorutilization was investigated to determine whethercorridors provide functional connectivity.Recent genetic research indicates that corridorscan provide a functional connection betweenisolated populations (Dixon et al., 2006; Haleet al., 2001). These studies found that isolatedsubpopulations in fragmented landscapesintermingled when appropriate corridors wereavailable. Mech and Hallet (2001) found twosubpopulations of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris),whose genetic structures were altered bylandscape fragmentation, returned “to theiroriginal state in terms of genetic structure,”when a corridor between the populations wascreated. Hilty and Merenlender (2004) usedremotely triggered cameras to determinecorridor use by carnivores. Not only did theyfind carnivores traversed the corridor, theyfound carnivores preferred the corridor over thesurrounding, disturbed landscape.Corridor effects on wildlife populationsWhen considering corridors as mitigationmeasures to fragmentation, it is importantto determine if the animals utilize availablecorridors, and if the corridors are effectiveat ameliorating the negative effects offragmentation.trowbridgii) than isolated patches. This studydid not investigate the genetic basis for themorphological changes; therefore it is uncertainwhether the decreased body size was a geneticresponse to the fragmented landscape or merelya morphological response due to habitat qualityand quantity.Some studies indicate the potential forcorridors to have negative effects onpopulations. Research on meadow voles(Microtus pennsylvanicus) concluded thatindividual survival is lower in landscapesconnected by corridors than in landscapeswith isolated patches (Coffman et al., 2001).In the presence of corridors, individuals aremore likely to disperse to other patchesthan they would in fragmented landscapeslacking corridors. Dispersing individuals takeon an inherent risk even in large contiguouslandscapes. Dispersal places high energydemands upon dispersing individuals, highquality nutrients may not always be readilyHighway 12 between Elliston & Garrison lookingsouth to Beck Hill, photo by Grace HammondOverall, studies show that corridors cancounteract the negative population effectsof habitat fragmentation. Studies showincreased movement of meadow voles (Microtuspennsylvanicus) within landscapes wherecorridors were incorporated to counteractfragmentation (Coffman et al., 2001) and geneflow between subpopulations of red squirrels(Sciurus vulgaris) and red-backed voles(Clethrionomys gapper) is higher in fragmentedlandscapes containing corridors than infragmented landscapes without corridors (Haleet al., 2001; Mech and Hallet, 2001). Lomolinoand Perault (2007) also found that patchesconnected by corridors contained individualswith larger body size for the northwestern deermouse (Peromyscus keeni), montane shrew(Sorex monticolus), and Trowbridge’s shrew (S.38