Geomorphic process-disturbance corridors: a variation on a principle of landscape ecology

Abstract

The paradigm of landscape ecology describes a landscape as a mosaic of landscape elements including the matrix, patches and corridors. Corridors are described as linear disruptions to the matrix, produced by anthropogenic actions or by streams which produce riparian corridors. Snow avalanches and debris flows are other geomorphic processes that should be considered as geomorphic process corridors rather than as disturbance patches. They possess requisite linearity, and they accomplish the five functions of a corridor: habitat, conduit, filter, source and sink. The definition of corridor in landscape ecology should be modified to embrace the concept of geomorphic process corridors.