Elephant population responses to increased density in Kruger National Park

Abstract

Despite threats of poaching and habitat loss, trends in the numbers of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in southern Africa contrast with their declining numbers in the rest of the continent (Chase et al. 2016). South Africa epitomises these trends with populations increasing in trans-frontier (Selier et al. 2016) and fence protected areas (Pretorius, Garaï & Bates 2019). Apart from being a key component of South Africa’s natural heritage, elephants are ecological engineers or habitat modifiers because of the substantial influence they exert on the habitats they share with other co-occurring species (Valeix et al. 2011). That is, elephants can change the structure of vegetation whilst browsing and can therefore become a catalyst for landscape state change (Eckhardt, Van Wilgen & Biggs 2000; Trollope et al. 1998). As a result, the influence of elephants on ecosystems has stimulated much debate (Van Aarde, Whyte & Pimm 1999; Van Wyk & Fairall 1969).