An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Wildlife Corridors: Conservation, Compassion and Connectivity By Amy D.Propen, New York, New York: Anthem Press. 2024. pp. 134. $110.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978‐1‐7852‐7918‐8

Regardless of scale, landscape connectivity is essential for wildlife survival and resiliency. Human development has affected many wildlife populations through landscape fragmentation and degradation, which reduces connectivity. One way to reestablish ecological connectivity is to construct and maintain wildlife corridors. Connectivity has become a global focus for many wildlife professionals, especially with increasing human development and subsequent fragmentation and reduction of wildlife habitat. Given the rising interest in this area, new tools are emerging to help mitigate landscape fragmentation. An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Wildlife Corridors by Amy Propen is an introductory book that describes theories and practices of wildlife corridor design and implementation. Propen organizes the book into 10 chapters that center around 3 main conceptual frameworks: entangled empathy, compassionate conservation, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Although significant interpretation is required by a reader to connect Propen's major themes throughout the book, it is clear that her aim is to emphasize the importance of human coexistence with nature by advocating for diverse multidisciplinary insights when developing wildlife corridor projects. In Chapter 1, Propen provides an overall synthesis of her vision for the scope, value, and purpose of the book. Propen claims that design and implementation of wildlife corridors require an interdisciplinary approach informed by the 3 frameworks of entangled empathy, compassionate conservation, and TEK. She asserts that these frameworks will build on existing knowledge of wildlife corridors, but she acknowledges that a perfect solution is unlikely to exist, so an approach informed by these concepts could support design for corridors. Chapters 2-4 advance the author's agenda and challenge established norms in conservation. Herein, Propen deepens the discussion of the 3 fundamental frameworks she presented in Chapter 1. She begins by identifying elements of connectivity in a landscape and providing definitions to clarify her ideas. As real-world examples, Propen discusses the State Road 80 underpass project for Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative. Propen emphasizes the need to tailor corridor projects for specific ecosystems and conservation goals, engage stakeholders, use TEK, and ensure open communication as a more ethical and inclusive approach. She argues that effective corridor design should consider the needs of all species, not just flagship species, to ensure broader entangled empathy. Propen also advocates for conserving as many existing natural corridors as possible, in addition to reconnecting previously separated patches. Additionally, she introduces topics such as biodiversity offsetting and implementing designs that address anticipated climate change. The author's purpose was to move beyond traditional, human-centered conservation methods and to advocate for strategies that promote coexistence of humans and other forms of life during the Anthropocene. These chapters challenge landscape managers to develop a thorough understanding of the habitat requirements for multiple species to design spaces that work for a broad array of wildlife. In Chapters 5-9, Propen presents unique case studies that show how entangled empathy, compassionate conservation, and TEK underpin corridor design. In Chapter 5, she describes wildlife crossings along a section of U.S. Highway 93, a road that divides the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, USA. This case study emphasizes that TEK and tribal awareness are instrumental when managing the land for wildlife. Propen also focuses on compassionate conservation in this chapter, but her discussion of entangled empathy is more in context with functional connectivity. In the end, she illustrates a case study on wildlife corridor creation where the 3 fundamental frameworks are prominent. The Monkton Wildlife Crossing in Vermont, USA, is a tunnel used by amphibians during spring migration, which passes under a road dividing an important breeding area. In this case study, presented in Chapter 6, Propen places emphasis on the biology of the species involved and the characteristics of the corridor that support their biological needs. With respect to the 3 fundamental frameworks, she emphasizes entangled empathy and compassionate conservation, but fails to clarify the extent to which these principles informed the planning and creation of the corridor. Chapters 7 and 8 present case studies on the impacts of anthropogenic structures on wildlife habitats and corridors. In Chapter 7, Propen describes the implementation of the Chiltern Railway line from Oxford to London Marylebone, United Kingdom. Railways, and several factors unique to rail systems (e.g., pollution, habitat fragmentation, noise), affect wildlife and species mortality, especially among large birds and mammals. Propen places less emphasis on this example as a corridor, which some readers may find distracting and unproductive towards meeting the major aims of the book. Large-scale, aerial corridors are covered in Chapter 8, including the impacts that city landscapes can have on corridors, especially in large and densely populated urban areas (e.g., Chicago). More specifically, she describes the challenges migrating birds face because of light pollution from cities located along major flyways. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii, USA, is the focus of Chapter 9. Propen reviews the ecological importance of this monument, in addition to historical background on its expansion, current management, Indigenous importance, and how management addresses climate change. This chapter provides one of the best examples of TEK in the implementation of a unique and large-scale corridor. By including all of these case studies of successful corridor projects, Propen strengthens her argument that incorporation of the 3 fundamental frameworks can positively affect corridor projects irrespective of scale or the landscape characteristics that connect fragmented areas. Lastly, in Chapter 10, Propen concludes by summarizing the preceding chapters, redefining the 3 fundamental frameworks, and synthesizing their use to advance the implementation of wildlife corridors to provide landscape connectivity. Using a final case study, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, she highlights the possible effects of using these fundamental concepts and practices. She further emphasizes general guidelines and strategies for incorporating interdisciplinary approaches in future wildlife corridor projects. To conclude, she provides a list of best practices, which is a convenient synthesis for readers to use in future project planning. Propen acknowledges that perfection is unlikely, balancing coexistence of humans and wildlife by using entangled empathy, compassionate conservation, and TEK can improve ecological connectivity across the landscape, which provides benefits for all. An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Wildlife Corridors can be a useful resource for planning wildlife corridor projects, but at a rudimentary level. Input from external reviewers could have strengthened the author's case for an interdisciplinary approach to design and implementation of wildlife corridors. Propen does effectively address issues relevant to a broad audience, which includes the general public, academics, and conservation practitioners. At the same time, writing to a broad audience makes the text more applicable as an introductory source about approaches rather than what could be used in practice. A particular strength of the text is the number of examples described for the use of TEK. However, the practical applications of compassionate conservation and entangled empathy were less developed. Some comparative analyses and additional evidence in support of integration of the 3 fundamental frameworks for wildlife corridor design and implementation would further enhance the text. Overall, Propen has provided a compelling set of illustrations to identify a direction for wildlife corridor implementation in the future. Her emphasis on the value of human and wildlife coexistence through inclusion of interdisciplinary perspectives is a welcome and fresh addition to the body of literature on this topic. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.