8. Wildlife

Case Study 1: Human-Wildlife Conflict and Corridor Degradation in Tanzania

Geographical Thought & Perspectives:

• Island Biogeography Theory (MacArthur & Wilson, 1967) – Influence of habitat isolation on species survival.
• Anthropogenic Land Use Change (Lal, 1998) – Human-induced disruptions in wildlife habitats.
• Conservation Biology and Habitat Connectivity (Soulé, 1985) – Strategies for maintaining biodiversity.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Wildlife Corridor Degradation Model – Impact of land-use changes on species movement.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict Framework – Causes and mitigation strategies for interactions between humans and animals.
• Satellite-Based Habitat Monitoring – Remote sensing techniques for assessing wildlife corridor health.

Recent Data:

• Tanzania: Wildlife corridor between Katavi and Mahale National Parks experiencing 9% reduction in miombo woodlands.
• Human Encroachment: Settlements and agricultural land increased fourfold since 1990.
• Satellite Observations: Remote sensing confirms diminished elephant movement routes.

Spatial Variation:

• Protected Areas: Higher wildlife presence due to conservation efforts.
• Encroached Zones: Declining species movement due to habitat fragmentation.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Increasing human-wildlife conflict observed since 1990s.
• Future Projections: Expected worsening due to continued land-use changes.

Source:

• Wiley Journal: “Wildlife Corridor Degradation and Human-Wildlife Conflict: A Case Study from Tanzania”

Insight:

Wildlife corridor degradation validates conservation models, emphasizing the need for habitat connectivity to maintain biodiversity.

Case Study 2: Wildlife Trafficking and Global Conservation Efforts

Geographical Thought & Perspectives:

• Environmental Governance and Wildlife Protection (Ostrom, 1990) – Role of institutions in conservation efforts.
• Anthropogenic Climate Change (IPCC, 1988–Present) – Human-induced disruptions in wildlife ecosystems.
• Illegal Wildlife Trade and Biodiversity Loss (UNODC, 2024) – Global trends in wildlife trafficking.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Wildlife Crime Prevention Model – Strategies for reducing illegal trade.
• Biodiversity Hotspot Model (Myers, 1988) – Identification of regions with high species richness.
• Protected Area Management Framework – Legal mechanisms for wildlife conservation.

Recent Data:

• Global Wildlife Trafficking: UNODC report highlights persistent illegal trade despite conservation efforts.
• Species Impact: Decline in elephant and rhinoceros populations due to poaching.
• Policy Measures: Strengthened regulations improving protection for select species.

Spatial Variation:

• Africa and Asia: Highest trafficking rates due to demand for exotic species.
• Europe and North America: Moderate illegal trade with stricter enforcement.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Wildlife trafficking increasing since 2000.
• Future Projections: Expected policy shifts to strengthen conservation efforts.

Source:

• UNODC Report: “World Wildlife Crime Report 2024”

Insight:

Wildlife trafficking trends validate conservation models, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement and policy measures.