**2. Factors that facilitate natural dispersal of wildlife in the KAZA TFCA landscape**

Long-distance dispersal of terrestrial wildlife in the KAZA TFCA from one habitat patch to another has been observed for a number of the wide-ranging species, including the African elephant (*L. africana*), zebra (*Equus burchellii*), buffalo (*Syncerus caffer*), wildebeest (*Connochaetes gnou*), lion (*Panthera leo*), wild dog (*Lycaon pictus*), etc. Through telemetry studies, the priority wildlife dispersal corridors have been mapped (**Figure 2**). Movement of wild animals through these dispersal corridors and other unmapped areas can be influenced by a variety of factors, including local population condition (e.g. crowding and food availability), which trigger intra- and interspecific competition—resulting in some animals moving in search of suitable habitats and food resources which are scarce in space and time. Environmentally, stochasticity (e.g. weather and species interactions) may also contribute to substandard conditions in the local environment, which may affect changes in the animals' dispersal. Social systems, on the other hand, such as those relying on a single adult male for reproduction (e.g. a harem breeding system), may also force juvenile males born into a particular unit to disperse [3, 4].

Climate variability may also influence dispersal of wildlife in the KAZA TFCA. Although throughout the earth's history climate has always changed with ecosystems and species evolving and some getting extinct, the future projections of climate change on the African continent are of great concern. For instance, it is projected that by 2050, average temperatures in Africa are predicted to increase by 1.5–3°C, with warming likely to be larger than the global annual mean warming throughout the continent and in all seasons. Over the long term (2081–2100), an increase of 3–6°C is projected, with most of this warming in southern Africa to occur in Namibia, Angola and Botswana [5], which are covered by the KAZA TFCA. Furthermore, rainfall is likely to decrease, and by 2080, the proportion of arid and semiarid lands is likely to increase by 5–8%, and agriculture yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by as much as 50%. These climate change scenarios have potential to affect ecosystems and species ability to adapt—affecting species abundance and distribution, community assemblages and functioning, loss of genetic diversity and change in ecosystem structure and functioning [5].

species-level changes in range and abundance, life cycle and behaviour and, over time, genetic evolutionary responses. These changes will in turn be linked with changes in natural disturbance patterns (**Figure 3**) and changes in ecosystem structure and function [5]. Species that are not easily dispersed will respond more slowly to climate change, likely

**Climate Change Stressors Impact Mechanisms Biodiversity Impact**

Less Mobile Species Suffer Reduced Abundance

Integration of Ecological and Socioeconomic Factors in Securing Wildlife Dispersal Corridors...

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70443

185

Localized Changes/ Redistribution in Species Abundance

Highly Mobile Species Migrate or Expand Range

Geographic Shift in Climatic Suitability

**Figure 2.** Priority wildlife dispersal corridors in the KAZA TFCA.

**Figure 3.** Climate change impacts on range and species abundance [5].

Increase in annual temperature

With respect to the free movement of wildlife in the KAZA TFCA, the most likely impact of climate change will be on the range and abundance shifts. The changing climate will stimulate Integration of Ecological and Socioeconomic Factors in Securing Wildlife Dispersal Corridors... http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70443 185

**Figure 2.** Priority wildlife dispersal corridors in the KAZA TFCA.

In this chapter, we briefly elucidate on the factors that facilitate natural dispersal of wildlife in KAZA TFCA; highlight the anthropogenic threats that impinge on the viability, functioning and sustenance of the wildlife dispersal corridors (WDCs); and recommend a suite of tactics/ strategies that would facilitate permeability of wildlife through the fragmented landscapes in

**2. Factors that facilitate natural dispersal of wildlife in the KAZA TFCA** 

Long-distance dispersal of terrestrial wildlife in the KAZA TFCA from one habitat patch to another has been observed for a number of the wide-ranging species, including the African elephant (*L. africana*), zebra (*Equus burchellii*), buffalo (*Syncerus caffer*), wildebeest (*Connochaetes gnou*), lion (*Panthera leo*), wild dog (*Lycaon pictus*), etc. Through telemetry studies, the priority wildlife dispersal corridors have been mapped (**Figure 2**). Movement of wild animals through these dispersal corridors and other unmapped areas can be influenced by a variety of factors, including local population condition (e.g. crowding and food availability), which trigger intra- and interspecific competition—resulting in some animals moving in search of suitable habitats and food resources which are scarce in space and time. Environmentally, stochasticity (e.g. weather and species interactions) may also contribute to substandard conditions in the local environment, which may affect changes in the animals' dispersal. Social systems, on the other hand, such as those relying on a single adult male for reproduction (e.g. a harem breeding system), may also force juvenile males born into a

Climate variability may also influence dispersal of wildlife in the KAZA TFCA. Although throughout the earth's history climate has always changed with ecosystems and species evolving and some getting extinct, the future projections of climate change on the African continent are of great concern. For instance, it is projected that by 2050, average temperatures in Africa are predicted to increase by 1.5–3°C, with warming likely to be larger than the global annual mean warming throughout the continent and in all seasons. Over the long term (2081–2100), an increase of 3–6°C is projected, with most of this warming in southern Africa to occur in Namibia, Angola and Botswana [5], which are covered by the KAZA TFCA. Furthermore, rainfall is likely to decrease, and by 2080, the proportion of arid and semiarid lands is likely to increase by 5–8%, and agriculture yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by as much as 50%. These climate change scenarios have potential to affect ecosystems and species ability to adapt—affecting species abundance and distribution, community assemblages and functioning, loss of genetic diversity and change in ecosystem

With respect to the free movement of wildlife in the KAZA TFCA, the most likely impact of climate change will be on the range and abundance shifts. The changing climate will stimulate

the KAZA TFCA.

184 Selected Studies in Biodiversity

**landscape**

particular unit to disperse [3, 4].

structure and functioning [5].

species-level changes in range and abundance, life cycle and behaviour and, over time, genetic evolutionary responses. These changes will in turn be linked with changes in natural disturbance patterns (**Figure 3**) and changes in ecosystem structure and function [5]. Species that are not easily dispersed will respond more slowly to climate change, likely

**Figure 3.** Climate change impacts on range and species abundance [5].

resulting in range contractions and reduced abundances. However, while the impact of climate change will be experienced throughout the KAZA TFCA, the Hwange-Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pan, Hwange-Kazuma-Chobe (**Figure 2**) and Khaudum-Ngamiland, which currently experience severe shortage of natural water, will be most affected.
