Elephant effect on forest physical structure and plant species composition in Salonga and Malebo (Lac Tumba landscape), Democratic Republic of Congo

A study on Salonga National Park and Malebo in the Democratic Republic of Congo reveals that forest elephants significantly influence understorey openness, with 94% of it positively correlated to elephant abundance. The research also found that elephant trails create distinct plant species gradients: fruit-bearing plants, which are dispersed by elephants, decline within 20 meters of trail centers, while leaf-browsed plants increase, suggesting dynamic trail movement over time. Projections indicate a potential fourth optimum point at 76 meters from the trail center, where both plant types would be absent. Based on these findings, the study concludes that a minimum corridor width of 150±2 meters is necessary to connect fragmented elephant habitats effectively.

Inogwabini, B.-I., Ngama-Nkosi, M., Wema-Wema, L., Wema-Wema, L., & Longwango, M. (2013). Elephant effect on forest physical structure and plant species composition in Salonga and Malebo (Lac Tumba landscape), Democratic Republic of Congo. Pachyderm, 53, 28–37. https://doi.org/10.69649/pachyderm.v53i.321