ABSTRACT
Kruger National Park (KNP), one of Africa’s largest and most biodiverse conservation areas, has experienced significant environmental changes in recent decades, primarily due to climate change, human encroachment, invasive species, and altered fire regimes. One of the most pressing ecological concerns is vegetation loss, which has direct and cascading effects on the park’s avifaunal (bird) diversity. Vegetation serves as a critical habitat component, offering food, nesting sites, and shelter for numerous bird species. Changes in vegetation composition, structure, and spatial distribution can thus alter bird community dynamics, potentially leading to a decline in species richness and abundance. This study explores the patterns and drivers of vegetation loss in Kruger National Park and evaluates its implications for avifaunal diversity using spatial analysis, remote sensing data, and avian population surveys conducted over the last two decades.
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