Elephants in Africa: Big, grey biodiversity thieves?

Kuiper, Timothy R; Parker, Daniel M

Title: Elephants in Africa: Big, grey biodiversity thieves?
Creator: Kuiper, Timothy R
Creator: Parker, Daniel M
Date Issued: 2014
Date: 2014
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124385
Identifier: vital:35601
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2011.589120
Description: The conservation of biological diversity is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today.1,2 Addressing this challenge must inevitably involve the maintenance of the composition, structure and functioning of multi-species ecosystems.2-4 While preventing the loss of particular species is an obvious strategy, a second goal might be to manage for local species diversity and the heterogeneity of habitats.5 A further objective may be the restoration of damaged ecosystems.6 Large herbivore assemblages form an important component of many diverse ecosystems and are of distinct ecological, and hence conservation, value.7-9 On the other hand, herbivores managed at unnaturally high densities may drive detrimental changes in the structural heterogeneity of habitats.10-12 Thus, decision-makers are faced with the challenge of balancing the needs of populations of large herbivores with the preservation of vegetation and ecosystem diversity.9 In light of these considerations, conclusions as to whether large herbivores are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for biological diversity are both contentious and elusive. Nonetheless, we seek to explore this question with particular reference to African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana). We discuss whether or not the elephant should be considered a biodiversity thief – a species that upsets the natural diversity of life in the habitat in which it lives.
Format: 3 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: South African Journal of Science
Relation: Parker, D.M. and Kuiper, T.R., 2014. Elephants in Africa: big, grey biodiversity thieves?: commentary. South African Journal of Science, 110(3), pp.1-3
Relation: South African Journal of Science volume 110 number 3 1 3 2014 0038-2353
Rights: South African Journal of Science
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Scielo Copyright Statement (http://www.scielo.org.za/revistas/sajs/iaboutj.htm#003)

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Parker, Daniel M (Prof)

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

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