title: The return of the giants: ecological effects of an increasing elephant population.
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.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway. christina.skarpe@nina.no
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skarpe
authors.forename: Per Arild
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Aarrestad
authors.forename: Harry P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.forename: Shivcharn S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Dhillion
authors.forename: Thatayaone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dimakatso
authors.forename: Johan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halley
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hytteborn
authors.forename: Shimane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makhabu
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mari
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marokane
authors.forename: Gaseitsiwe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masunga
authors.forename: Modise
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ditshoswane
authors.forename: Stein R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: Rapelang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mojaphoko
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mosugelo
authors.forename: Sekgowa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Motsumi
authors.forename: Gosiame
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Neo-Mahupeleng
authors.forename: Mpho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramotadima
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rutina
authors.forename: Lettie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sechele
authors.forename: Thato B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Sejoe
authors.forename: Sigbjørn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stokke
authors.forename: Jon E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Swenson
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taolo
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vandewalle
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wegge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes; D001902:Botswana; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D004606:Elephants; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D063245:Plant Development; D011157:Population Dynamics