<p>Ecological connectivity is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, particularly in high-mountain landscapes. This study evaluated changes in functional connectivity between the El Malmo Protective Forest Reserve and the Páramo del Rabanal (Colombia) from 2012 to 2023, two areas of high ecological and socio-economic importance. Using ecological niche modeling (MaxEnt) for six indicator plant species, combined with GIS-based habitat mapping and corridor analysis, we identified shifts in habitat suitability and connectivity patterns. Bioclimatic variables, land cover data, and species occurrence records were integrated to model habitat suitability and resistance surfaces. Connectivity routes were delineated under two scenarios: a narrow 1% corridor and a broader 5% corridor. Results showed a reduction in suitable habitats and increased fragmentation, particularly in areas affected by agricultural expansion and land-use change. The 1% corridor (7,128&#xa0;ha) was dominated by mosaics of pastures and crops, whereas the 5% corridor (19,595&#xa0;ha) contained higher proportions of natural cover such as dense grasslands, forests, and wetlands, offering greater potential for biodiversity conservation. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted restoration and sustainable land management strategies to maintain ecological flows between the two reserves. Active participation of local communities, integration of ecological corridors into land-use planning, and conservation of remaining natural patches are key to mitigating fragmentation impacts. This research provides a replicable methodology for assessing connectivity in Andean ecosystems and informs decision-making for biodiversity conservation at the landscape scale.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>This visual summary serves as a pivotal entry point to the research, providing a concise overview of the study’s core findings and methodologies. The graphical abstract comprises five main components: Data, presenting the geographic location of the El Malmo Protective Forest Reserve and the Páramo del Rabanal, together with climate and land cover information; Analysis, illustrating the integration of ecological niche modeling, GIS-based land cover mapping, and satellite-derived environmental layers; Model, highlighting the use of MaxEnt with bioclimatic variables and species occurrence records to predict suitable habitats; Results, depicting spatial patterns of habitat suitability and the design of 1% and 5% ecological corridors; and Conclusion, summarizing the decline in functional connectivity due to land-use change and emphasizing priority areas for conservation and restoration. The logical sequence of the figure guides the viewer from data acquisition to actionable conservation insights, ensuring clarity and impact. This graphical abstract enhances accessibility by enabling readers to quickly grasp the workflow, methods, and key findings without reading the full text. By visually linking the study’s methodology with its ecological implications, it aims to increase the visibility, engagement, and citation potential of the research.</p>