Multispecies transboundary landscape connectivity in the KAZA TFCA

Main Highlights

• Mapped habitat suitability and connectivity for seven key mammal species across the KAZA landscape using nearly 48,000 occurrence records.
• Identified critical core habitats, wildlife corridors and wildlife dispersal areas that support movement between protected landscapes.
• Found that no single species functions as an effective umbrella species for conserving connectivity across KAZA.
• Demonstrated that maintaining connectivity depends heavily on land use practices outside protected areas and coexistence between people and wildlife.

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.

Citation

Sousa, L.L., Kotze, R., Fanikiso, L. et al. Multispecies transboundary landscape connectivity in the KAZA TFCA. Sci Rep 16, 24330 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-58440-y