JOINING THE DOTS
Ecological linkages
Broad areas connecting core protected or conserved areas that prevent isolation, ensuring that these core areas remain ecologically integrated. We define these areas based on our current understanding of wildlife movement in the landscapes we support.
Corridors
Connecting pathways, which can be linear, landscape-wide, or composed of stepping stones. These corridors enable species to move between core protected and conserved areas, maintaining genetic diversity and allowing wildlife to migrate, disperse, and access vital resources.
Buffered transition zones
These zones act as intermediary spaces that reduce human impact on core conservation areas and corridors, allowing for a gradual transition between strict conservation zones and areas designated for human activity. Human settlement is allowed in buffer zones, but with stricter controls on resource use and development than in sustainable use areas.
Sustainable use areas
These zones are dedicated to human activities, such as settlements or agriculture, that are managed sustainably in order to coexist with conservation objectives. The goal in these areas is to ensure that resource extraction, land use, or other human activities do not negatively impact the adjacent protected ecosystems.
In order to avoid further habitat fragmentation, as well as restore and sustain ecological connectivity between key components of southern Africa, identifying and understanding the use of ecological corridors is key to our work.
In the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, six geographically specific wildlife dispersal areas offer ecological and wildlife movement passages between protected areas across the landscape. In the Great Limpopo transboundary area, between Gonarezhou, Zinave, Banhine and Limpopo national parks there are many river systems that ensure ecological connectivity. The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area includes the Futi Corridor linking Tembe Elephant park with Maputo National Park, re-uniting long parted elephant families.