Restoring ecological connectivity in the Serengeti ecosystem

The thesis examines conservation challenges in the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem (GSME), focusing on the Tanzanian portion. Human activities around protected areas (PAs) disrupt wildlife access to vital resources and affect ecosystem resilience. Expanding PA boundaries and prohibiting human activities in key areas can mitigate this issue. The research focuses on two specific zones: the Boma Removal Zone (BRZ) along the eastern border with Serengeti National Park (SNP) and the Speke Gulf Game Controlled Area (SGCA) on the western side of SNP linking to Lake Victoria, both crucial for wildlife.
In the BRZ, camera traps and vegetation surveys observed partial ecosystem recovery following the prohibition of overnight livestock pens. In SGCA, significant human-wildlife conflicts with elephants, hippos, and crocodiles were reported, highlighting the need for mitigation strategies.
The study also explored the role of fire in monitoring savanna degradation, with results showing a decline in fire frequency due to human activity. Livestock grazing was found to increase plant diversity at small scales but reduce it regionally. Finally, synthetic aperture radar was used to monitor grassland and woody vegetation structure, offering a promising tool for conservation.
The thesis emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable land use practices and the protection of critical habitats in the GSME, advocating for better legal protection and practical monitoring tools to ensure coexistence between wildlife, humans, and livestock.