How can the design of protected areas be future proofed for the conservation of large mammal biodiversity?

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What makes a protected area resilient to anthropogenic and climate change pressures is the focus of my thesis; determining how protected areas can be future proofed for the conservation of large mammals. The influence of size and connectivity of protected areas on large mammal population trends is considered, together with their impact on mammal biodiversity intactness. Anthropogenic pressure gradients are determined for species, and how they affect large mammal distribution within a protected area. I explore how climate change will influence the suitability of current protected areas for large mammals, and whether increasing their connectedness makes them more resilient. My thesis also focuses on IUCN management and governance categories; exploring their impact on mammal biodiversity intactness and large mammal population trends. In investigating these areas, I aim to determine what makes a protected area effective at conserving large mammals and make projections for the future.