Vegetation Changes Following Large-scale Fence Removal Across a Protected Area Network Within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Abstract In the early 1990’s, reserves adjacent to Kruger National Park (KNP) removed their fences create a continuous landscape within Canyons Biosphere Reserve. Understanding how these interconnected multi-management systems responded changes in environmental factors and management regimes can help maintain natural large-scale heterogeneity ecological resilience. Our objective was analyze remote sensing-derived vegetation metric between different types pre- post-fence removal. The study area included fourteen central section of KNP. We calculated residuals TIMESAT-derived metrics (from AVHRR NDVI time series) rainfall from 1985 2006. then compared vegetation-rainfall removal using mean–variance plots, nonmetric multidimensional scaling permutational multivariate analysis variance statistically identify changes. All experienced increased greenness. Reserves that had greater remained fenced findings suggest managers may need address by implementing such as reducing artificial surface water counterbalance grazing pressure result animal mobility across artificially created resource gradients. Habitat connectivity protected networks be achieved removing conservation areas thus potentially increasing resilience, which is vital effective long-term conservation.