Habitat Connectivity Corridors for Boreal Forest Wildlife Amid Fragmentation Pressures

Résumé

Boreal forest landscapes subject to expanding resource extraction and infrastructure development face increasing habitat fragmentation, raising concern for wide-ranging wildlife species dependent on landscape-scale connectivity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of proposed habitat connectivity corridors intended to link fragmented boreal forest patches across a region experiencing active forestry and energy sector development. Using species movement data collected through GPS collar tracking of a focal large mammal species alongside landscape resistance modeling based on land cover and disturbance density, we assess whether currently designated corridor zones align with observed animal movement pathways. Findings indicate partial alignment, with several designated corridors receiving limited actual use while unprotected alternative pathways showed disproportionately high movement activity, suggesting that corridor designation processes may have underweighted fine-scale terrain and disturbance avoidance behavior evident in tracking data. We propose a revised corridor prioritization approach incorporating movement-derived resistance surfaces alongside conventional habitat suitability criteria. These findings highlight the value of integrating empirical movement data into connectivity planning processes rather than relying primarily on habitat suitability mapping, with direct relevance for conservation planning in actively developing boreal landscapes.