Sousa, L. L., Kotze, R., Fanikiso, L., Young-Overton, K., Overton, J., Stevens, X., Lines, R., Wijers, M., Kesch, K., Bauer, D. T., and others. (2026) Multispecies transboundary landscape connectivity in the KAZA TFCA. Scientific Reports, 16 . Article Number 24330. ISSN 2045-2322. (doi:10.1038/s41598-026-58440-y) (KAR id:115856)
|
PDF
Publisher pdf
Language: English 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
|
|
|
Download this file (PDF/2MB) |
Preview |
| Request a format suitable for use with assistive technology e.g. a screenreader | |
| Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-58440-y |
|
Abstract
This study aimed to delineate multi-species corridors across the KAZA landscape to be included in land use planning and identify which wildlife dispersal areas (WDA) are most critical for seven key mammal species across KAZA. For each species, we modelled habitat suitability across KAZA using ~ 48,000 occurrence points, from both camera trap and spoor surveys. Data from different sources were individually analysed, combined in an ensemble model and final outputs overlayed to form a multi-species layer, with which we assessed connectivity identifying core areas (KDE), corridors (LCP) and functional habitat in KAZA. The central KAZA region, from the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park to Hwange National Park, supports the most extensive, well-connected core habitat for multiple species. Connectivity weakens toward the Sebungwe region, Angola, Namibia, and Kafue due to major rivers, veterinary fences, and growing human settlement/development. However, substantial highly suitable habitat occurs outside protected areas, with some WDAs playing disproportionately important roles in sustaining species’ connectivity. No single species serves as an umbrella for others when identifying critical corridors, making multi-species analyses essential for comprehensive conservation planning. Protecting corridors and core areas across KAZA depends largely on land uses outside protected areas, underscoring the need to integrate multi-species corridors into land-use planning and to promote coexistence between people and wildlife.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| DOI/Identification number: | 10.1038/s41598-026-58440-y |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation |
| Institutional Unit: | Schools > School of Computing |
| Former Institutional Unit: |
There are no former institutional units.
|
| Depositing User: | JISC Publications Router |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Aug 2026 14:00 UTC |
| Last Modified: | 12 Aug 2026 10:25 UTC |
| Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/115856 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
- Link to SensusAccess
- Export to:
- RefWorks
- EPrints3 XML
- BibTeX
- CSV
- Depositors only (login required):
Altmetric
Altmetric
