when they are no longer connected, organisms cannot move between them, leading to a smaller range for individuals and an increase in inbreeding.
as such, populations decrease in genetic health and in some cases are unable to live within a limited range, leading to population collapse and local extinction.
increasing connectivity through building wildlife corridors – or stepping stones – providing habitat so individuals can move between fragmented patches, increases individual range and allows populations to connect across a landscape, share genetic material, and prevent potential collapse.