More species of amphibians and reptiles can be found in areas which have been heavily damaged by elephants than areas where the elephants have been excluded, a study suggests.
US scientists have found 18 species in areas highly damaged by elephants, but just eight species in unaffected habitats. Elephants are described as “ecological engineers” because of their ability to maintain ecosystems by physically changing habitats, as well as creating entire new habitats.
The research has been published in the African Journal of Ecology and Bruce Schulte, of Western Kentucky University, said that elephants, as well as other species’ activities modify the habitat in a way that affects many other species and are considered to be ecological engineers.
He added that they change the shape of the landscape by digging and pulling up grass as well as knocking down trees. Also, because an elephant’s digestive system doesn’t process the seeds that they eat, their faeces are also a good fertiliser, which means that the elephants are able to transport seeds elsewhere and rejuvenate the landscape.
According to the study, 18 herpetofaunal (amphibians and reptiles) species… were sampled in areas of high elephant damage. Medium damage areas were comprised of 12 species, while areas of low damage had 11 species.