Data from: Fencing solves human‐wildlife conflict locally but shifts problems elsewhere: a case study using functional connectivity modelling of the African elephant

1. Fencing is one of the commonest methods for mitigating human-wildlife
conflicts. At the same time, fencing is considered to be of one of the
most pressing emerging threats to conservation globally. Although fences
act as barriers and eventually can cause population isolation and
fragmentation, it is challenging to quantitatively predict the possible
consequences fences have for wildlife. 2. Here, we model how fencing
designed to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) on the Borderlands
between Kenya and Tanzania will affect functional connectivity and
movement corridors for African elephants. Specifically, we (1) model
functional landscape connectivity integrating natural and anthropogenic
factors; (2) predict seasonal movement corridors used by elephants in
non-protected areas; and (3) evaluate whether fencing in one area can
potentially intensify human-wildlife conflicts elsewhere. 3. We used GPS
movement and remote sensing data to develop monthly step-selection
functions to model functional connectivity. For future scenarios, we used
a currently ongoing fencing project designed for human-elephant conflict
mitigation within the study area. We modelled movement corridors using
least-cost path and circuit theory methods, evaluated their predictive
power and quantified connectivity changes resulting from the planned
fencing. 4. Our results suggest that fencing will not cause landscape
fragmentation and will not change functional landscape connectivity
dramatically. However, fencing will lead to a loss of connectivity locally
and will increase the potential for HEC in new areas. We estimated that
wetlands important for movement corridors will be more intensively used by
the elephants, which may also cause problems of overgrazing. Seasonal
analysis highlighted an increasing usage of non-protected lands in the dry
season and equal importance of the pinch point wetlands for preserving
overall function connectivity. 5. Synthesis and applications. Fencing is a
solution to small-scale HEC problems, but will not solve the issue at a
broader scale. Moreover, our results highlight that it may intensify the
conflicts and overuse of habitat patches in other areas, thereby negating
any conservation benefits. If fencing is employed on a broader scale, then
it is imperative that corridors are integrated within the protected area
network to ensure local connectivity of affected species.