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Chapman CA, Gogarten JF, Golooba M, Kalbitzer U, Omeja PA, Opito EA, Sarkar D. Fifty+ years of primate research illustrates complex drivers of abundance and increasing primate numbers. Am J Primatol 2023:e23577. [PMID: 37985837 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Many primate populations are threatened by human actions and a central tool used for their protection is establishing protected areas. However, even if populations in such areas are protected from hunting and deforestation, they still may be threatened by factors such as climate change and its cascading impacts on habitat quality and disease dynamics. Here we provide a long-term and geographically wide-spread population assessment of the five common diurnal primates of Kibale National Park, Uganda. Over 7 year-long or longer census efforts that spanned 52 years, our team walked 1466 km, and recorded 480 monkey groups. Populations were generally relatively stable with a few exceptions, for which no apparent causative factors could be identified. This stability is unexpected as many ecological changes documented over the last 34+ years (e.g., decreasing food abundance and quality) were predicted to have negative impacts. Populations of some species declined at some sites but increased at others. This highlights the need for large, protected areas so that declines in particular areas are countered by gains in others. Kibale has large areas of regenerating forest and this most recent survey revealed that after 20+ years, forest regeneration in many of these areas appears sufficient to sustain sizeable primate populations, except for blue monkeys that have not colonized these areas. Indeed, the average primate abundance in the regenerating forest was only 8.1% lower than in neighboring old-growth forest. Thus, park-wide primate abundance has likely increased, despite many pressures on the park having risen; however, some areas in the park remain to be assessed. Our study suggests that the restoration, patrolling, and community outreach efforts of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and their partners have contributed significantly to protecting the park and its animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin A Chapman
- Biology Department, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
- Wilson Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Jan F Gogarten
- Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Golooba
- Makerere University Biological Field Station, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Urs Kalbitzer
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Patrick A Omeja
- Makerere University Biological Field Station, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel A Opito
- Makerere University Biological Field Station, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Dipto Sarkar
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
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2
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Gilbert L, Jeanniard-du-Dot T, Authier M, Chouvelon T, Spitz J. Composition of cetacean communities worldwide shapes their contribution to ocean nutrient cycling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5823. [PMID: 37726276 PMCID: PMC10509247 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41532-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Defecation by large whales is known to fertilise oceans with nutrients, stimulating phytoplankton and ecosystem productivity. However, our current understanding of these processes is limited to a few species, nutrients and ecosystems. Here, we investigate the role of cetacean communities in the worldwide biological cycling of two major nutrients and six trace nutrients. We show that cetaceans release more nutrients in mesotrophic to eutrophic temperate waters than in oligotrophic tropical waters, mirroring patterns of ecosystem productivity. The released nutrient cocktails also vary geographically, driven by the composition of cetacean communities. The roles of small cetaceans, deep diving cetaceans and baleen whales differ quantitatively and functionally, with contributions of small cetaceans and deep divers exceeding those of large whales in some areas. The functional diversity of cetacean communities expands beyond their role as top predators to include their role as active nutrient vectors, which might be equally important to local ecosystem dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Gilbert
- Centre for Biological Studies of Chizé, UMR 7372 La Rochelle University - CNRS, La Rochelle, France
- Pelagis Observatory, UAR 3462 La Rochelle University - CNRS, La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Matthieu Authier
- Pelagis Observatory, UAR 3462 La Rochelle University - CNRS, La Rochelle, France
| | - Tiphaine Chouvelon
- Pelagis Observatory, UAR 3462 La Rochelle University - CNRS, La Rochelle, France
- Ifremer, Chemical Contamination of Marine Ecosystems Unit, Nantes, France
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Centre for Biological Studies of Chizé, UMR 7372 La Rochelle University - CNRS, La Rochelle, France.
- Pelagis Observatory, UAR 3462 La Rochelle University - CNRS, La Rochelle, France.
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3
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Williams PJ, Brodie JF. Predicting how defaunation-induced changes in seed predation and dispersal will affect tropical tree populations. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14014. [PMID: 36178021 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The loss of large animals due to overhunting and habitat loss potentially affects tropical tree populations and carbon cycling. Trees reliant on large-bodied seed dispersers are thought to be particularly negatively affected by defaunation. But besides seed dispersal, defaunation can also increase or decrease seed predation. It remains unclear how these different defaunation effects on early life stages ultimately affect tree population dynamics. We reviewed the literature on how tropical animal loss affects different plant life stages, and we conducted a meta-analysis of how defaunation affects seed predation. We used this information to parameterize models that altered matrix projection models from a suite of tree species to simulate defaunation-caused changes in seed dispersal and predation. We assessed how applying these defaunation effects affected population growth rates. On average, population-level effects of defaunation were negligible, suggesting that defaunation may not cause the massive reductions in forest carbon storage that have been predicted. In contrast to previous hypotheses, we did not detect an effect of seed size on changes in seed predation rates. The change in seed predation did not differ significantly between exclosure experiments and observational studies, although the results of observational studies were far more variable. Although defaunation surely affects certain tree taxa, species that benefit or are harmed by it and net changes in forest carbon storage cannot currently be predicted based on available data. Further research on how factors such as seed predation vary across tree species and defaunation scenarios is necessary for understanding cascading changes in species composition and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jedediah F Brodie
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
- Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
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4
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Yuh YG, N’Goran KP, Beukou GB, Wendefeuer J, Neba TF, Ndotar AM, NdombaA DL, Ndadet ACJ, Herbinger I, Matthews HD, Turner SE. Recent decline in suitable large mammal habitats within the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
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5
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Hughes LJ, Morton O, Scheffers BR, Edwards DP. The ecological drivers and consequences of wildlife trade. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 98:775-791. [PMID: 36572536 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife trade is a key driver of extinction risk, affecting at least 24% of terrestrial vertebrates. The persistent removal of species can have profound impacts on species extinction risk and selection within populations. We draw together the first review of characteristics known to drive species use - identifying species with larger body sizes, greater abundance, increased rarity or certain morphological traits valued by consumers as being particularly prevalent in trade. We then review the ecological implications of this trade-driven selection, revealing direct effects of trade on natural selection and populations for traded species, which includes selection against desirable traits. Additionally, there exists a positive feedback loop between rarity and trade and depleted populations tend to have easy human access points, which can result in species being harvested to extinction and has the potential to alter source-sink dynamics. Wider cascading ecosystem repercussions from trade-induced declines include altered seed dispersal networks, trophic cascades, long-term compositional changes in plant communities, altered forest carbon stocks, and the introduction of harmful invasive species. Because it occurs across multiple scales with diverse drivers, wildlife trade requires multi-faceted conservation actions to maintain biodiversity and ecological function, including regulatory and enforcement approaches, bottom-up and community-based interventions, captive breeding or wildlife farming, and conservation translocations and trophic rewilding. We highlight three emergent research themes at the intersection of trade and community ecology: (1) functional impacts of trade; (2) altered provisioning of ecosystem services; and (3) prevalence of trade-dispersed diseases. Outside of the primary objective that exploitation is sustainable for traded species, we must urgently incorporate consideration of the broader consequences for other species and ecosystem processes when quantifying sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J. Hughes
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield South Yorks S10 2TN Sheffield UK
| | - Oscar Morton
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield South Yorks S10 2TN Sheffield UK
| | - Brett R. Scheffers
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Gainesville FL 32611 USA
| | - David P. Edwards
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield South Yorks S10 2TN Sheffield UK
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6
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Scalbert M, Vermeulen C, Breuer T, Doucet J. The challenging coexistence of forest elephants
Loxodonta cyclotis
and timber concessions in central Africa. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Scalbert
- Université de Liège – Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech, Forest is Life, Terra Teaching and Research Centre Passage des Déportés 2 B‐5030 Gembloux Belgium
| | - Cédric Vermeulen
- Université de Liège – Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech, Forest is Life, Terra Teaching and Research Centre Passage des Déportés 2 B‐5030 Gembloux Belgium
| | - Thomas Breuer
- World Wide Fund for Nature Germany Reinhardstr. 18 10117 Berlin Germany
| | - Jean‐Louis Doucet
- Université de Liège – Gembloux Agro‐Bio Tech, Forest is Life, Terra Teaching and Research Centre Passage des Déportés 2 B‐5030 Gembloux Belgium
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7
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Turner WC, Périquet S, Goelst CE, Vera KB, Cameron EZ, Alexander KA, Belant JL, Cloete CC, du Preez P, Getz WM, Hetem RS, Kamath PL, Kasaona MK, Mackenzie M, Mendelsohn J, Mfune JK, Muntifering JR, Portas R, Scott HA, Strauss WM, Versfeld W, Wachter B, Wittemyer G, Kilian JW. Africa’s drylands in a changing world: Challenges for wildlife conservation under climate and land-use changes in the Greater Etosha Landscape. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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8
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Ngorima P, Mpakairi KS, Kavhu B, Gara T, Ndaimani H, Chakuya J. Trends in elephant poaching in the
Mid‐Zambezi
Valley, Zimbabwe: Lessons learnt and future outlook. Afr J Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patmore Ngorima
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Harare Zimbabwe
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
- Centre for African Ecology University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Kudzai Shaun Mpakairi
- Insititute of Water Studies, Department of Earth Sciences University of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
- School of Wildlife Conservation African Leadership University Kigali Rwanda
| | - Blessing Kavhu
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Harare Zimbabwe
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Stellenbosch University Matieland South Africa
- Centre for Complex Systems in Transition Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Tawanda Winmore Gara
- Department of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation, Faculty of Science University of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe
- California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Department of Environmental Science and Management Arcata USA
| | - Henry Ndaimani
- Department of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation, Faculty of Science University of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe
- School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban South Africa
| | - Jeremiah Chakuya
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Harare Zimbabwe
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9
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Financing conservation by valuing carbon services produced by wild animals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2120426119. [PMID: 35613052 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120426119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Significance The involvement of financial markets is critical to deliver effective and long-lasting solutions to mitigate climate change and reverse biodiversity loss. However, financial markets have not invested in ecosystem services because these are often valued based on non-market prices, which deter investments. Based on existing carbon market prices, we value the carbon services produced by forest elephants and show that wild animals' carbon services are valuable enough to attract investors. This framework would facilitate financing of conservation programs and local communities and broaden the portfolio of nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change.
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10
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Núñez CL, Poulsen JR, White LJT, Medjibe V, Clark JS. Distinct Community-Wide Responses to Forecasted Climate Change in Afrotropical Forests. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.742626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
More refined knowledge of how tropical forests respond to changes in the abiotic environment is necessary to mitigate climate change, maintain biodiversity, and preserve ecosystem services. To evaluate the unique response of diverse Afrotropical forest communities to disturbances in the abiotic environment, we employ country-wide tree species inventories, remotely sensed climate data, and future climate predictions collected from 104 1-ha plots in the central African country of Gabon. We predict a 3–8% decrease in Afrotropical forest species richness by the end of the century, in contrast to the 30–50% loss of plant diversity predicted to occur with equivalent warming in the Neotropics. This work reveals that forecasts of community species composition are not generalizable across regions, and more representative studies are needed in understudied diverse biomes. This study serves as an important counterpoint to work done in the Neotropics by providing contrasting predictions for Afrotropical forests with substantially different ecological, evolutionary, and anthropogenic histories.
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11
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Poulsen JR, Beirne C, Rundel C, Baldino M, Kim S, Knorr J, Minich T, Jin L, Núñez CL, Xiao S, Mbamy W, Obiang GN, Masseloux J, Nkoghe T, Ebanega MO, Clark CJ, Fay MJ, Morkel P, Okouyi J, White LJT, Wright JP. Long Distance Seed Dispersal by Forest Elephants. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.789264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
By dispersing seeds long distances, large, fruit-eating animals influence plant population spread and community dynamics. After fruit consumption, animal gut passage time and movement determine seed dispersal patterns and distances. These, in turn, are influenced by extrinsic, environmental variables and intrinsic, individual-level variables. We simulated seed dispersal by forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) by integrating gut passage data from wild elephants with movement data from 96 individuals. On average, elephants dispersed seeds 5.3 km, with 89% of seeds dispersed farther than 1 km. The longest simulated seed dispersal distance was 101 km, with an average maximum dispersal distance of 40.1 km. Seed dispersal distances varied among national parks, perhaps due to unmeasured environmental differences such as habitat heterogeneity and configuration, but not with human disturbance or habitat openness. On average, male elephants dispersed seeds farther than females. Elephant behavioral traits strongly influenced dispersal distances, with bold, exploratory elephants dispersing seeds 1.1 km farther than shy, idler elephants. Protection of forest elephants, particularly males and highly mobile, exploratory individuals, is critical to maintaining long distance seed dispersal services that shape plant communities and tropical forest habitat.
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12
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Meier AC, Shirley MH, Beirne C, Breuer T, Lewis M, Masseloux J, Jasperse‐Sjolander L, Todd A, Poulsen JR. Improving population estimates of difficult‐to‐observe species: A dung decay model for forest elephants with remotely sensed imagery. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. C. Meier
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA
| | - M. H. Shirley
- Institute of Environment Florida International University North Miami FL USA
| | - C. Beirne
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA
| | - T. Breuer
- World Wide Fund for Nature Germany Berlin Germany
| | - M. Lewis
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA
| | - J. Masseloux
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA
| | | | - A. Todd
- Fauna and Flora International Cambridge United Kingdom
| | - J. R. Poulsen
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA
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13
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Bonnald J, Utge J, Kuhner MK, Wasser SK, Asalu E, Okimat JP, Krief S. Who are the elephants living in the hybridization zone? How genetics may guide conservation to better protect endangered elephants. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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14
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Analysis of Landscape Connectivity among the Habitats of Asian Elephants in Keonjhar Forest Division, India. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13224661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Land development has impacted natural landforms extensively, causing a decline in resources and negative consequences to elephant populations, habitats, and gene flow. Often, elephants seek to fulfill basic needs by wandering into nearby human communities, which leads to human–elephant conflict (HEC), a serious threat to conserving this endangered species. Understanding elephant space use and connectivity among their habitats can offset barriers to ecological flow among fragmented populations. We focused on the Keonjhar Forest Division in Eastern India, where HEC has resulted in the deaths of ~300 people and several hundred elephants, and damaged ~4100 houses and ~12,700 acres of cropland between 2001 and 2018. Our objectives were to (1) analyze elephant space use based on their occupancy; (2) map connectivity by considering the land structure and HEC occurrences; (3) assess the quality of mapped connectivity and identify potential bottlenecks. We found that (1) the study area has the potential to sustain a significant elephant population by providing safe connectivity; (2) variables like forests, precipitation, rural built-up areas, cropland, and transportation networks were responsible for predicting elephant presence (0.407, SE = 0.098); (3) five habitat cores, interconnected by seven corridors were identified, of which three habitat cores were vital for maintaining connectivity; (4) landscape features, such as cropland, rural built-up, mining, and transportation networks created bottlenecks that could funnel elephant movement. Our findings also indicate that overlooking HEC in connectivity assessments could lead to overestimation of functionality. The study outcomes can be utilized as a preliminary tool for decision making and early planning during development projects.
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15
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High aboveground carbon stock of African tropical montane forests. Nature 2021; 596:536-542. [PMID: 34433947 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tropical forests store 40-50 per cent of terrestrial vegetation carbon1. However, spatial variations in aboveground live tree biomass carbon (AGC) stocks remain poorly understood, in particular in tropical montane forests2. Owing to climatic and soil changes with increasing elevation3, AGC stocks are lower in tropical montane forests compared with lowland forests2. Here we assemble and analyse a dataset of structurally intact old-growth forests (AfriMont) spanning 44 montane sites in 12 African countries. We find that montane sites in the AfriMont plot network have a mean AGC stock of 149.4 megagrams of carbon per hectare (95% confidence interval 137.1-164.2), which is comparable to lowland forests in the African Tropical Rainforest Observation Network4 and about 70 per cent and 32 per cent higher than averages from plot networks in montane2,5,6 and lowland7 forests in the Neotropics, respectively. Notably, our results are two-thirds higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default values for these forests in Africa8. We find that the low stem density and high abundance of large trees of African lowland forests4 is mirrored in the montane forests sampled. This carbon store is endangered: we estimate that 0.8 million hectares of old-growth African montane forest have been lost since 2000. We provide country-specific montane forest AGC stock estimates modelled from our plot network to help to guide forest conservation and reforestation interventions. Our findings highlight the need for conserving these biodiverse9,10 and carbon-rich ecosystems.
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16
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African forest elephant movements depend on time scale and individual behavior. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12634. [PMID: 34135350 PMCID: PMC8208977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91627-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The critically endangered African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) plays a vital role in maintaining the structure and composition of Afrotropical forests, but basic information is lacking regarding the drivers of elephant movement and behavior at landscape scales. We use GPS location data from 96 individuals throughout Gabon to determine how five movement behaviors vary at different scales, how they are influenced by anthropogenic and environmental covariates, and to assess evidence for behavioral syndromes-elephants which share suites of similar movement traits. Elephants show some evidence of behavioral syndromes along an 'idler' to 'explorer' axis-individuals that move more have larger home ranges and engage in more 'exploratory' movements. However, within these groups, forest elephants express remarkable inter-individual variation in movement behaviours. This variation highlights that no two elephants are the same and creates challenges for practitioners aiming to design conservation initiatives.
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17
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Stevens N. What shapes the range edge of a dominant African savanna tree, Colophospermum mopane? A demographic approach. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:3726-3736. [PMID: 33976771 PMCID: PMC8093671 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate is widely assumed to be the primary process that limits the distribution ranges of plants. Yet, savannas have vegetation not at equilibrium with climate, instead its structure and function are shaped by interactions between fire, herbivory, climate, and vegetation. I use the rich literature of a dominant African savanna woody plant, Colophospermum mopane, to demonstrate that climate and disturbance interact with each demographic stage to shape this species range limits. This synthesis highlights that climate-based predictions for the range of C. mopane inadequately represents the processes that shape its distribution. Instead, seed bank depletion and rainfall limitation create a demographic bottleneck at the early seedling stage. The legacy of top-kill from disturbance changes tree stand architecture causing a critical limitation in seed supply. Exposure to top-kill at all demographic stages causes a vigorous resprouting response and shifts tree architecture from that of 1-2 stemmed tall trees to that of a short multi-stemmed shrub. The shorter, multi-stemmed shrubs are below the height threshold (4 m) at which they can produce seeds, resulting in shrub-dominated landscapes that are effectively sterile. This effect is likely most pronounced at the range edge where top-kill-inducing disturbances increase in frequency. The proposed mechanistic, demographic-based understanding of C. mopane's range limits highlights the complexity of processes that interact to shape its range edges. This insight serves as a conceptual model for understanding the determinants of range limits of other dominant woody savannas species living in disturbance limited ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Stevens
- Environmental Change InstituteSchool of Geography and the EnvironmentUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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18
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Assou D, D'Cruze N, Kirkland H, Auliya M, Macdonald DW, Segniagbeto GH. Camera trap survey of mammals in the Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park, Togo, West Africa. Afr J Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Délagnon Assou
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology Faculty of Sciences University of Lomé Togo
- Togolese Society for Nature Conservation (AGBO‐ZEGUE NGO) Togo
| | - Neil D'Cruze
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology University of Oxford UK
| | - Hannah Kirkland
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology University of Oxford UK
| | - Mark Auliya
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander KoenigHerpetology Section Bonn Germany
- Department of Conservation Biology Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ Leipzig Germany
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Department of Zoology University of Oxford UK
| | - Gabriel H. Segniagbeto
- Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotoxicology Faculty of Sciences University of Lomé Togo
- Togolese Society for Nature Conservation (AGBO‐ZEGUE NGO) Togo
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19
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Maicher V, Delabye S, Murkwe M, Doležal J, Altman J, Kobe IN, Desmist J, Fokam EB, Pyrcz T, Tropek R. Effects of disturbances by forest elephants on diversity of trees and insects in tropical rainforests on Mount Cameroon. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21618. [PMID: 33303812 PMCID: PMC7729851 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78659-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural disturbances are essential for tropical forests biodiversity. In the Afrotropics, megaherbivores have played a key role before their recent decline. Contrastingly to savanna elephants, forest elephants’ impact on ecosystems remains poorly studied. Few decades ago, forests on Mount Cameroon were divided by lava flows, not being crossed by a local population of forest elephants until now. We assessed communities of trees, butterflies and two guilds of moths in the disturbed and undisturbed forests split by the longest lava flow. We surveyed 32 plots, recording 2025 trees of 97 species, and 7853 insects of 437 species. The disturbed forests differed in reduced tree density, height, and high canopy cover, and in increased DBH. Forest elephants’ selective browsing and foraging also decreased tree species richness and altered their composition. The elephant disturbance increased butterfly species richness and had various effects on species richness and composition of the insect groups. These changes were likely caused by disturbance-driven alterations of habitats and species composition of trees. Moreover, the abandonment of forests by elephants led to local declines of range-restricted butterflies. The recent declines of forest elephants across the Afrotropics probably caused similar changes in forest biodiversity and should be reflected by conservation actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Maicher
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. .,Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, 9 Circuit Dr., Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Sylvain Delabye
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Mercy Murkwe
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.,Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Doležal
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelska 135, 37982, Trebon, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Altman
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelska 135, 37982, Trebon, Czech Republic
| | - Ishmeal N Kobe
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Julie Desmist
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,University Paris-Saclay, 15 rue Georges Clemenceau, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Eric B Fokam
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Tomasz Pyrcz
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30387, Krakow, Poland.,Nature Education Centre of the Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 5, 30387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Robert Tropek
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. .,Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 12844, Prague, Czech Republic.
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20
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Assessing the impact of climate change on the spatio-temporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease risk for elephants. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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21
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Ehlers Smith YC, Ehlers Smith DA, Ramesh T, Downs CT. Co‐occurrence modelling highlights conservation implications for two competing spiral‐horned antelope. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
| | - David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
| | - Tharmalingam Ramesh
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
- Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Centre of Excellence Under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Govt. of India Coimbatore Tamil Nadu India
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
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22
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Beirne C, Meier AC, Brumagin G, Jasperse-Sjolander L, Lewis M, Masseloux J, Myers K, Fay M, Okouyi J, White LJT, Poulsen JR. Climatic and Resource Determinants of Forest Elephant Movements. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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23
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Rosin C, Beals KK, Belovitch MW, Harrison RE, Pendred M, Sullivan MK, Yao N, Poulsen JR. Assessing the effects of elephant foraging on the structure and diversity of an Afrotropical forest. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cooper Rosin
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison Wisconsin
| | - Kendall K. Beals
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee
| | | | | | - Megan Pendred
- Department of Zoology Trinity College Dublin Dublin Ireland
| | - Megan K. Sullivan
- Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University New Haven Connecticut
| | - Nicolas Yao
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham North Carolina
| | - John R. Poulsen
- Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham North Carolina
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24
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Torre JA, Lechner AM, Wong EP, Magintan D, Saaban S, Campos‐Arceiz A. Using elephant movements to assess landscape connectivity under Peninsular Malaysia's central forest spine land use policy. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J. Antonio Torre
- School of Environmental and Geographical SciencesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
- Programa Jaguares de la Selva Maya, Bioconciencia A.C. Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Alex M. Lechner
- School of Environmental and Geographical SciencesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
- Mindset Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
| | - Ee P. Wong
- School of Environmental and Geographical SciencesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
- Mindset Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
| | - David Magintan
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Salman Saaban
- Department of Wildlife and National Parks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Ahimsa Campos‐Arceiz
- School of Environmental and Geographical SciencesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
- Mindset Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia Semenyih Malaysia
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical GardenChinese Academy of Sciences Mengla China
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25
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Molina‐Vacas G, Muñoz‐Mas R, Martínez‐Capel F, Rodriguez‐Teijeiro JD, Le Fohlic G. Movement patterns of forest elephants (
Loxodonta cyclotis
Matschie, 1900) in the Odzala‐Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo. Afr J Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guillem Molina‐Vacas
- Department of Evolutionary Biology Ecology and Environmental Biology University of Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Rafael Muñoz‐Mas
- Institut d'Investigació per a la Gestió Integrada de Zones Costaneres (IGIC) Universitat Politècnica de València València Spain
- GRECO Institute of Aquatic Ecology University of Girona Girona Spain
| | - Francisco Martínez‐Capel
- Institut d'Investigació per a la Gestió Integrada de Zones Costaneres (IGIC) Universitat Politècnica de València València Spain
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26
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Beirne C, Nuñez CL, Baldino M, Kim S, Knorr J, Minich T, Jin L, Xiao S, Mbamy W, Obiang GN, Masseloux J, Nkoghe T, Ebanega MO, Rundel C, Wright JP, Poulsen JR. Estimation of gut passage time of wild, free roaming forest elephants. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Beirne
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Chase L. Nuñez
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Melissa Baldino
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Seokmin Kim
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Julia Knorr
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Taylor Minich
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Lingrong Jin
- L. Jin and S. Xiao, Dept of Biology, Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shuyun Xiao
- L. Jin and S. Xiao, Dept of Biology, Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Walter Mbamy
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Guichard Ndzeng Obiang
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Juliana Masseloux
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Tanguy Nkoghe
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Médard Obiang Ebanega
- W. Mbamy, G. N. Obiang, T. Nkoghe and M. O. Ebanega, Dépt de Géographie, Univ. Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Colin Rundel
- C. Rundel, Dept of Statistical Science, Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Justin P. Wright
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - John R. Poulsen
- C. Beirne, C. L. Nuñez, M. Baldino, S. Kim, J. Knorr, T. Minich, J. Masseloux, J. P. Wright and J. R. Poulsen ✉ , Nicholas School of the Environment, PO Box 90328, Duke Univ., Durham, NC 27708, USA
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27
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Cardoso AW, Malhi Y, Oliveras I, Lehmann D, Ndong JE, Dimoto E, Bush E, Jeffery K, Labriere N, Lewis SL, White LTJ, Bond W, Abernethy K. The Role of Forest Elephants in Shaping Tropical Forest–Savanna Coexistence. Ecosystems 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-019-00424-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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28
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How complementary are large frugivores for tree seedling recruitment? A case study in the Congo Basin. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s026646741900018x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLarge frugivores provide critical seed dispersal services for many plant species and their extirpation from forested ecosystems can cause compositional shifts in regenerating plant cohorts. Yet, we still poorly understand whether large seed-dispersers have complementary or redundant roles for forest regeneration. Here, to assess the functional complementarity of large-bodied frugivores in forest regeneration, we quantified the effects of varying abundance of hornbills, primates and the forest elephant on the density, species richness and the mean weighted seed length of animal-dispersed tree species among seedlings in five sites in a forest–savanna mosaic in D. R. Congo, while accounting for percentage forest cover and the local presence of fruiting trees. We found that the abundance of primates was positively associated with species richness of seedlings, while percentage forest cover was negatively associated (R2 = 0.19). The abundance of hornbills, the presence of elephants and percentage forest cover were positively associated with mean seed length of the regenerating cohort (R2 = 0.13). Spatially explicit analysis indicated that some additional processes have an important influence on these response indices. Primates would seem to have a preponderant role for maintaining relatively high species richness, while hornbills and elephant would seem to be predominantly responsible for the recruitment of large-seeded trees. Our results could indicate that these taxa of frugivores play complementary functional roles for forest regeneration. This suggests that the extirpation of one or more of these dispersers would likely not be functionally compensated for by the remaining taxa, hence possibly cascading into compositional shifts.
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29
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Does the presence of elephant dung create hotspots of growth for existing seedlings? JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467419000051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMegaherbivores play a central role in the evolution and functioning of ecosystems. In tropical forests elephant species are some of the few remaining megaherbivores. Through elephant foraging, nutrients that would be locked in leaves and stems, taking months or years to decay, are quickly liberated for use. In 10 experimental sites in Kibale National Park, Uganda, we set up 10 pairs of plots (4 × 4 m), each pair involved one treatment, elephant dung addition, and one control. After 1 y, we quantified growth (height and leaf number) and survival of young light-demanding (12) and shade-tolerant (19) plant species (439 stems in total). In general, the addition of elephant dung did not increase seedling growth, and it only increased the number of leaves in shade-tolerant plants with a large initial number of leaves. Researchers have speculated that the loss of elephants would shift the composition of African forests to slow-growing tree species. However, this is not supported by our finding that shows some slow-growing shade-tolerant plants grew more new leaves with additional nutrient input from elephant dung, a condition that would occur if elephant numbers increase.
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