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Preserving landscape connectivity in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves is crucial due to human-induced fragmentation, shrinking habitats, and disrupted migration routes for wildlife. From 2014 to 2016, we conducted surveys to gather large mammal presence data, mapping their distribution using the MaxEnt algorithm. Employing Circuitscape software and circuit theory concepts, we predicted connectivity patterns for six large mammal species. Our results consistently showed robust predictive performance, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.75 for species distribution models. Notably, we identified suitable habitat patches for seven key species, spanning 1760 km2 for <italic>C. civetta</italic>, 1515 km2 for <italic>T. Scriptus</italic>, 729 km2 for <italic>L. cyclotis</italic>, 1693 km2 for <italic>P. porcus</italic>, 1350 km2 for <italic>C. mona</italic>, 1406 km2 for <italic>P. maxwellii</italic>, and 1379 km2 for <italic>C. torquatus</italic>. Our analysis highlighted distance to human settlements as the most significant predictor for habitat models concerning <italic>T. Scriptus</italic>, <italic>C. civetta</italic>, <italic>P. maxwellii</italic>, <italic>C. torquatus</italic>, <italic>P. porcus</italic>, and <italic>C. mona</italic>, whereas land use type emerged as a critical factor for <italic>L. cyclotis</italic>. Furthermore, examination of maximum current flow patterns revealed varying degrees of connectivity among habitat patches, indicating potential bottlenecks to species movement, particularly across major rivers and in areas affected by human activities. These findings offer crucial insights for conservation efforts, guiding strategies to preserve wildlife metapopulation dynamics in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves landscape
</abstract>

Preserving landscape connectivity in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves is crucial due to human-induced fragmentation, shrinking habitats, and disrupted migration routes for wildlife. From 2014 to 2016, we conducted surveys to gather large mammal presence data, mapping their distribution using the MaxEnt algorithm. Employing Circuitscape software and circuit theory concepts, we predicted connectivity patterns for six large mammal species. Our results consistently showed robust predictive performance, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.75 for species distribution models. Notably, we identified suitable habitat patches for seven key species, spanning 1760 km2 for C. civetta, 1515 km2 for T. Scriptus, 729 km2 for L. cyclotis, 1693 km2 for P. porcus, 1350 km2 for C. mona, 1406 km2 for P. maxwellii, and 1379 km2 for C. torquatus. Our analysis highlighted distance to human settlements as the most significant predictor for habitat models concerning T. Scriptus, C. civetta, P. maxwellii, C. torquatus, P. porcus, and C. mona, whereas land use type emerged as a critical factor for L. cyclotis. Furthermore, examination of maximum current flow patterns revealed varying degrees of connectivity among habitat patches, indicating potential bottlenecks to species movement, particularly across major rivers and in areas affected by human activities. These findings offer crucial insights for conservation efforts, guiding strategies to preserve wildlife metapopulation dynamics in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves landscape

Connecting Habitats: Modelling Landscape Connectivity for Large Mammals in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves, South-West Nigeria

Journal of Landscape Ecology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Preserving landscape connectivity in the Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves is crucial due to human-induced fragmentation, shrinking habitats, and disrupted...

Connecting Habitats: Modelling Landscape Connectivity for Large Mammals in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves, South-West Nigeria

Published Online: Apr 06, 2024

Page range: 35 - 46

Received: Jan 26, 2024

Accepted: Mar 16, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2024-0003

Keywords
Large mammals, Landscape connectivity, Forest Conservation, Habitat suitability

© 2024 Michelle I. Fasona et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Connecting Habitats: Modelling Landscape Connectivity for Large Mammals in Omo-Shasha-Oluwa Forest Reserves, South-West Nigeria

Published Online: Apr 06, 2024

Page range: 35 - 46

Received: Jan 26, 2024

Accepted: Mar 16, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2024-0003

KeywordsLarge mammals, Landscape connectivity, Forest Conservation, Habitat suitability

© 2024 Michelle I. Fasona et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Large mammals, Landscape connectivity, Forest Conservation, Habitat suitability