@article{weldon_2006, title={How corridors reduce Indigo Bunting nest success}, volume={20}, ISSN={["0888-8892"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00403.x}, abstractNote={Abstract:   Corridors are a popular strategy to conserve biodiversity and promote gene flow in fragmented landscapes. Corridor effectiveness has been bolstered by the fact that no empirical field studies have shown negative effects on populations or communities. I tested the hypothesis that corridors increase nest predation in connected habitat fragments relative to unconnected fragments. I evaluated this hypothesis in a large‐scale experimental system of open‐habitat fragments that varied in shape and connectivity. Corridors increased nest predation rates in connected fragments relative to unconnected fragments with lower edge:area ratios. Nest predation rates were similar between connected and unconnected fragments with higher edge:area ratios. These results suggest that the increase in predator activity is largely attributable to edge effects incurred through the addition of a corridor. This is the first field study to demonstrate that corridors can negatively impact animal populations occupying connected fragments. }, number={4}, journal={CONSERVATION BIOLOGY}, author={Weldon, Aimee J.}, year={2006}, month={Aug}, pages={1300–1305} }
 @article{tewksbury_levey_haddad_sargent_orrock_weldon_danielson_brinkerhoff_damschen_townsend_2002, title={Corridors affect plants, animals, and their interactions in fragmented landscapes}, volume={99}, ISSN={["0027-8424"]}, DOI={10.1073/pnas.202242699}, abstractNote={Among the most popular strategies for maintaining populations of both plants and animals in fragmented landscapes is to connect isolated patches with thin strips of habitat, called corridors. Corridors are thought to increase the exchange of individuals between habitat patches, promoting genetic exchange and reducing population fluctuations. Empirical studies addressing the effects of corridors have either been small in scale or have ignored confounding effects of increased habitat area created by the presence of a corridor. These methodological difficulties, coupled with a paucity of studies examining the effects of corridors on plants and plant–animal interactions, have sparked debate over the purported value of corridors in conservation planning. We report results of a large-scale experiment that directly address this debate. In eight large-scale experimental landscapes that control for patch area and test alternative mechanisms of corridor function, we demonstrate that corridors not only increase the exchange of animals between patches, but also facilitate two key plant–animal interactions: pollination and seed dispersal. Our results show that the beneficial effects of corridors extend beyond the area they add, and suggest that increased plant and animal movement through corridors will have positive impacts on plant populations and community interactions in fragmented landscapes.}, number={20}, journal={PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA}, author={Tewksbury, JJ and Levey, DJ and Haddad, NM and Sargent, S and Orrock, JL and Weldon, A and Danielson, BJ and Brinkerhoff, J and Damschen, EI and Townsend, P}, year={2002}, month={Oct}, pages={12923–12926} }