INTRODUCTION
The African elephant, Loxodonta Africana, is earth’s largest mammal. Unfortunately, poaching and hunting have been reducing their populations for years. The unsustainable rate of decline of elephant populations is alarming. It is believed that elephant’s browsing activity initiates a cascade of outcomes that impacts herbivores on the savanna. This is a controversial topic as both positive and negative effects on different herbivores have been documented. This paper will provide an overview of some of the available research available that will illustrate the impact elephants have on their African environment.
Elephant populations in Africa steadily declined for much of the twentieth century due to habitat loss and poaching (Wittemyer
The African elephant, Loxodonta Africana, is earth’s largest mammal. Unfortunately, poaching and hunting have been reducing their populations for years. The unsustainable rate of decline of elephant populations is alarming. It is believed that elephant’s browsing activity initiates a cascade of outcomes that impacts herbivores on the savanna. This is a controversial topic as both positive and negative effects on different herbivores have been documented. This paper will provide an overview of some of the available research available that will illustrate the impact elephants have on their African environment.
Elephant populations in Africa steadily declined for much of the twentieth century due to habitat loss and poaching (Wittemyer