An onion-like movement corridor? Possible guidelines emerging from small-scale movement rules

Our simulations suggested that movement corridors with an unfavourable ground cover could be more efficient than those with a favourable ground cover. An “onion corridor” composed by several overlaid layers of habitats could help decrease the frequent leaks of dispersers from the core of the corridor. In mosaic corridors composed by several patches of habitats, both compositional and structural heterogeneity decreased connectivity. However, a mosaic of habitats used as a buffer around an onion corridor increased its connectivity. Such designs could be useful in agricultural landscapes, by increasing connectivity while having a low impact on farming practices.