Restoring Migratory Connectivity: Evaluating Conservation Scenarios for the Mara–Loita Wildebeest Migration, Kenya
(2026) In Student thesis series INES NGEK01 20251Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Abstract
- Mara–Loita wildebeest migration in Kenya has experienced a dramatic decline since the 1970s, primarily due to habitat fragmentation caused by livestock fencing, agricultural expansion, and urban development. These changes have obstructed seasonal wildebeest movements, leading to disrupted migration routes and increased human-wildlife conflict. In response, four conservation scenarios have been proposed by Ogutu et al. (2020) to restore portions of the Loita Plains and, in turn, reestablish the Mara–Loita migration in the Greater Mara region. Each scenario consists of two new proposed conservancies outside the Loita Plains, a proposed conservancy in the Loita Plains and a proposed corridor area connecting the Loita Plains to the other... (More)
- Mara–Loita wildebeest migration in Kenya has experienced a dramatic decline since the 1970s, primarily due to habitat fragmentation caused by livestock fencing, agricultural expansion, and urban development. These changes have obstructed seasonal wildebeest movements, leading to disrupted migration routes and increased human-wildlife conflict. In response, four conservation scenarios have been proposed by Ogutu et al. (2020) to restore portions of the Loita Plains and, in turn, reestablish the Mara–Loita migration in the Greater Mara region. Each scenario consists of two new proposed conservancies outside the Loita Plains, a proposed conservancy in the Loita Plains and a proposed corridor area connecting the Loita Plains to the other conservancies. However, a significant challenge to their effectiveness lies in the spatial disconnect between the proposed conservation areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), hindering unimpeded movement across the landscape. Addressing this gap in the work of Ogutu et al. (2020), this study pursues three objectives: (1) to identify least-resistance movement corridors through the intermediary zones of each scenario using connectivity modeling; (2) to evaluate how each scenario and its associated corridors influence overall landscape connectivity and migration potential between the MMNR and the Loita Plains; and (3) to comparatively assess each scenario's ecological effectiveness, anthropogenic impact, and economic feasibility. Results show that all four scenarios, combined with their modeled corridors, substantially improve habitat permeability, reduce reliance on isolated high-connectivity pathways, and minimize bottlenecks. Comparative analysis reveals that Scenario 1 is the most ecologically effective and economically viable option, offering highly interconnected protected areas, minimal infrastructure removal, and the fewest road crossings, while aligning closely with historical migration pathways. All scenarios remain vulnerable to rapid urban expansion, underscoring the importance of careful spatial planning and active local stakeholder engagement in any implementation effort. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9225270
- author
- Briggs, Emma LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- NGEK01 20251
- year
- 2026
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- MMNR, Conservation, Migration, Connectivity Modelling, Wildebeest Migration, Kenya
- publication/series
- Student thesis series INES
- report number
- 691
- language
- English
- id
- 9225270
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-28 13:41:29
- date last changed
- 2026-04-28 13:41:29
@misc{9225270,
abstract = {{Mara–Loita wildebeest migration in Kenya has experienced a dramatic decline since the 1970s, primarily due to habitat fragmentation caused by livestock fencing, agricultural expansion, and urban development. These changes have obstructed seasonal wildebeest movements, leading to disrupted migration routes and increased human-wildlife conflict. In response, four conservation scenarios have been proposed by Ogutu et al. (2020) to restore portions of the Loita Plains and, in turn, reestablish the Mara–Loita migration in the Greater Mara region. Each scenario consists of two new proposed conservancies outside the Loita Plains, a proposed conservancy in the Loita Plains and a proposed corridor area connecting the Loita Plains to the other conservancies. However, a significant challenge to their effectiveness lies in the spatial disconnect between the proposed conservation areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), hindering unimpeded movement across the landscape. Addressing this gap in the work of Ogutu et al. (2020), this study pursues three objectives: (1) to identify least-resistance movement corridors through the intermediary zones of each scenario using connectivity modeling; (2) to evaluate how each scenario and its associated corridors influence overall landscape connectivity and migration potential between the MMNR and the Loita Plains; and (3) to comparatively assess each scenario's ecological effectiveness, anthropogenic impact, and economic feasibility. Results show that all four scenarios, combined with their modeled corridors, substantially improve habitat permeability, reduce reliance on isolated high-connectivity pathways, and minimize bottlenecks. Comparative analysis reveals that Scenario 1 is the most ecologically effective and economically viable option, offering highly interconnected protected areas, minimal infrastructure removal, and the fewest road crossings, while aligning closely with historical migration pathways. All scenarios remain vulnerable to rapid urban expansion, underscoring the importance of careful spatial planning and active local stakeholder engagement in any implementation effort.}},
author = {{Briggs, Emma}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{Student thesis series INES}},
title = {{Restoring Migratory Connectivity: Evaluating Conservation Scenarios for the Mara–Loita Wildebeest Migration, Kenya}},
year = {{2026}},
}