PMID: 15387059Sep 25, 2004Paper

The return of the giants: ecological effects of an increasing elephant population

Ambio
Christina SkarpePer Wegge

Abstract

Northern Botswana and adjacent areas, have the world's largest population of African elephant (Loxodonta africana). However, a 100 years ago elephants were rare following excessive hunting. Simultaneously, ungulate populations were severely reduced by decease. The ecological effects of the reduction in large herbivores must have been substantial, but are little known. Today, however, ecosystem changes following the increase in elephant numbers cause considerable concern in Botswana. This was the background for the "BONIC" project, investigating the interactions between the increasing elephant population and other ecosystem components and processes. Results confirm that the ecosystem is changing following the increase in elephant and ungulate populations, and, presumably, developing towards a situation resembling that before the reduction of large herbivores. We see no ecological reasons to artificially change elephant numbers. There are, however, economic and social reasons to control elephants, and their range in northern Botswana may have to be artificially restricted.

Citations

Aug 13, 2015·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Jelle P HilbersWillem F De Boer
Aug 27, 2014·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Kristine Maciejewski, Graham I H Kerley
Aug 31, 2011·Journal of Theoretical Biology·C De MicheleR J Scholes
Feb 1, 2012·Natural Resource Modeling·Wayne M Getz
Mar 23, 2011·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Yolanda PretoriusHerbert H T Prins
Sep 28, 2006·Mycological Research·Gaseitsiwe S MasungaShivcharn S Dhillion
Oct 13, 2010·Current Biology : CB·T Michael Anderson
Mar 3, 2012·PloS One·David S JachowskiJoshua J Millspaugh
Jul 23, 2013·PloS One·Marietjie LandmanGraham I H Kerley
Apr 5, 2007·PLoS Biology·Stephen BlakeFiona Maisels
Mar 5, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Gregory P AsnerRoberta E Martin
Dec 10, 2016·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Duncan M KimuyuTruman P Young
Mar 31, 2010·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·J M KalwijC Winterbach
Mar 1, 2008·Oecologia·Fulco LudwigHerbert H T Prins
May 11, 2012·Environmental Monitoring and Assessment·Narcisa G Pricope
Apr 20, 2010·Journal of Environmental Quality·Roy C Sidle, Alan D Ziegler
Jun 8, 2017·PloS One·Robert A R GuldemondRudi J van Aarde

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.