Wetlands are valuable for wildlife. Area and arrangement. Forest animals prefer not to cross wide open spaces. Therefore narrow strips of forest can be important as travel corridors. Most species prefer to live at the edge between two types of vegetation.
Edge provides ready access to both food and cover.
Raptors perch and feed at edges. An irregular edge is preferable to a straight one. Some species, most notably many migratory songbirds, do not like edge. Techniques for improving wildlife habitat Create openings in otherwise solid forest. Openings provide nutritious browse, insects, hiding cover, berries, etc.