Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Limiting Agricultural Encroachment and Conserving Herbivores in West‐Central African Savannahs

Protected areas (PAs) in West and Central African savannahs, particularly those within connected networks like the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, significantly resist agricultural encroachment and support higher herbivore biomass compared to unprotected buffer zones. A study analyzing Landsat imagery (1973–2018) and wildlife census data for four focal species—African buffalo, roan antelope, hartebeest, and savannah elephant—revealed that core PAs largely preserved natural vegetation while surrounding landscapes saw substantial agricultural expansion. However, wildlife population trends did not always correlate with landscape integrity, highlighting the critical role of PA size, governance, and ecological connectivity in conservation outcomes. The research identifies three distinct PA typologies, each requiring tailored strategic approaches to enhance effectiveness beyond legal designation.

Mialhe, F., Piron, A., Le Floch, A., Griffon, S., Scholte, P., Pradel, R., Ze, S. O., Guerbois, C., Pays, O., Church, J. M., Fritz, H., & Renaud, P.-C. (2026). Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Limiting Agricultural Encroachment and Conserving Herbivores in West‐Central African Savannahs. African Journal of Ecology, 64(2). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70162