Research
Landscape connectivity in Botswana
KAZA TFCA – Landscape connectivity modelling
KAZA connectivity model outputs
Landscape connectivity in Botswana
Landscape connectivity in Zimbabwe
In partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) and the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), WildCRU are committed to using the model, and broader landscape connectivity and genetics methods, to address practical conservation needs in Botswana.
WildCRU researchers continue to further develop the model, which will result in a more detailed resistance surface, and, with collaborators, they also work to further validate the model using camera trap, spoor and genetic data. In the meantime, the existing model will be used to test conservation management scenarios through the following:
- Testing scenarios contained in the Botswana National Spatial Plan (NSP) to investigate the impacts of implementation on landscape connectivity in order to inform decision makers and policy
- Contributing to the Strategic Environmental Assessment required by the NSP (this will involve close collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs to provide insight into requirements)
- Using spatial modelling methods to contribute to the Botswana National Biodiversity Strategy.
- Integrating the model with KAZA Secretariat’s Master Integrated Development Plan (IDP), particularly with reference to the dispersal areas defined under this plan.
It has been suggested that multi-species landscape use should be incorporated into the model. A host of datasets have been identified as available by potential collaborators in order to facilitate this task.
It is with thanks to the following collaborators and contributors that this work is being developed:
Birdlife Botswana, Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Department of Animal Protection, Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of Lands, Department of Town and Country Planning, Department of Veterinary Services, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, International University of Science and Technology, Kalahari Research and Conservation, Leopard Ecology and Conservation, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Okavango Research Institute, Tau Consultants, University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Botswana, Vetswana
