Moving through the mosaic: identifying critical linkage zones for large herbivores across a multiple‐use African landscape

Reduced connectivity across grassland ecosystems can impair their functional heterogeneity and negatively impact large herbivore populations. Maintaining landscape human-dominated rangelands is therefore a key conservation priority. Integrate data on occurrence species richness with analyses of to identify important areas for maintaining or restoring herbivores. The study was conducted mosaic multiple land uses in Laikipia County, Kenya. We used occupancy estimates four [African elephant (Loxodonta africana), reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), plains zebra (Equus quagga), Grevy’s grevyi)] derived from aerial surveys create resistance surfaces movement single multi-species assemblage, respectively. validated single-species using telemetry data. circuit theory least cost-path model linkage zones the prioritize restoration. Resistance layers approximated movements our focal species. Results models were highly correlated (rp > 0.9), indicating similar spatial patterns between individual larger assemblage. identified critical that may improve permeability large-herbivore movements. Our analysis highlights utility modeling informing management when animal are scarce. results guide decisions, providing valuable information evaluate trade-offs improving safeguarding livelihoods electrified fences rangelands.