From News Journal

    A study by researchers at the University of Florida has shown that wildlife corridors are important routes for insect and plant populations to exchange pollen and seeds. The study compared cleared patches of Forest with continuous corridors across eight parcels of land within an environmental research park located on the Georgia-South Carolina border. Scientists tracked the movements of two butterfly species by spraying the fruit of wax myrtle and yaupon holly trees with fluorescent powder, and then recording the presence of holly fruit in bird droppings in a series of traps placed along the corridor. Twice the number of seeds were transported to the connected patch than to the unconnected patch.

Researchers believe that birds and insects will travel more often through these wildlife corridors and will help plants to propagate along these corridors. Environmental supporters believe that local corridors like the 55,437-acre Volusia Conservation Corridor will become a travel route for the Florida black bear, the Florida panther, and other endangered species. this corridor could ultimately connect the St. John’s River through Volusia and Flagler counties and north to the Okefenokee Swamp on the Florida state border.