TY - JOUR

T1 - Identifying opportunities for transboundary conservation in Africa

AU - Kamath, Vignesh

AU - Brooks, Holly

AU - Naidoo, Robin

AU - Brennan, Angela

AU - Bertzky, Bastian

AU - Burgess, Neil D.

AU - McDermott Long, Osgur

AU - Arnell, Andy

AU - Bhola, Nina

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2023 Kamath, Brooks, Naidoo, Brennan, Bertzky, Burgess, McDermott Long, Arnell and Bhola.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - The conservation of natural and cultural resources shared between countries is a significant challenge that can be addressed through the establishment of transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs). TBCAs enable countries to harmonize cross-border governance and management, increase protected area (PA) coverage, and strengthen relationships between neighbouring countries and communities. In Africa, many ecosystems and species ranges span multiple countries, making TBCAs a crucial tool for biodiversity conservation. However, there is a lack of research on where TBCAs can be established or need to be established. To address this gap, we conducted a study to identify opportunities for establishing TBCAs in Africa. We first compiled an up-to-date list of existing TBCAs on the continent. Then, we identified potential TBCAs by identifying protected areas next to country borders that are adjacent to other protected areas in a neighbouring country. We also evaluated the functional connectivity between these PA pairs and prioritized potential TBCAs based on size, connectivity, and ease of establishment. We identified 27 existing TBCAs and 8,481 potential TBCAs in Africa composed of various possible combinations of 2,326 individual PAs. Our results provide a baseline of existing TBCAs and offer a better understanding of where transboundary conservation might be established or strengthened. We also highlight areas where future transboundary conservation efforts could safeguard PA connectivity. This information can guide policy and decision-making processes towards promoting conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources shared between countries in Africa.

AB - The conservation of natural and cultural resources shared between countries is a significant challenge that can be addressed through the establishment of transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs). TBCAs enable countries to harmonize cross-border governance and management, increase protected area (PA) coverage, and strengthen relationships between neighbouring countries and communities. In Africa, many ecosystems and species ranges span multiple countries, making TBCAs a crucial tool for biodiversity conservation. However, there is a lack of research on where TBCAs can be established or need to be established. To address this gap, we conducted a study to identify opportunities for establishing TBCAs in Africa. We first compiled an up-to-date list of existing TBCAs on the continent. Then, we identified potential TBCAs by identifying protected areas next to country borders that are adjacent to other protected areas in a neighbouring country. We also evaluated the functional connectivity between these PA pairs and prioritized potential TBCAs based on size, connectivity, and ease of establishment. We identified 27 existing TBCAs and 8,481 potential TBCAs in Africa composed of various possible combinations of 2,326 individual PAs. Our results provide a baseline of existing TBCAs and offer a better understanding of where transboundary conservation might be established or strengthened. We also highlight areas where future transboundary conservation efforts could safeguard PA connectivity. This information can guide policy and decision-making processes towards promoting conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources shared between countries in Africa.

KW - functional connectivity

KW - Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

KW - mammals

KW - protected areas

KW - transboundary conservation areas

U2 - 10.3389/fcosc.2023.1237849

DO - 10.3389/fcosc.2023.1237849

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85169913937

VL - 4

JO - Frontiers in Conservation Science

JF - Frontiers in Conservation Science

SN - 2673-611X

M1 - 1237849

ER -