Modelling elephant corridors over two decades reveals opportunities for conserving connectivity across a large protected area network.

ABSTRACT: Protected area (PA) connectivity is pivotal for the persistence of wide-ranging wildlife species, but is challenged by habitat loss and fragmentation. We analyzed habitat suitability and connectivity for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) across PAs in south-western Tanzania in 2000, 2010, and 2019. We quantified land-use changes through remote sensing data; estimated habitat suitability through aerial survey data, remotely sensed variables and ensemble species distribution models; modelled least-cost corridors; identified the relative importance of each corridor for the connectivity of the PA network and potential bottlenecks over time through circuit theory; and validated corridors through local ecological knowledge and ground wildlife surveys. From 2000 to 2019, cropland increase

SUBMITTER: Giliba RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10575508 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature