Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Habitat Use in (…)

27 septembre 2025 | Muteti Zacharia Mutinda, Lydia Natalie Tiller, George Gatere Ndiritu, Lucy King, Duncan Kimuyu

ABSTRACT

Understanding the spatial and seasonal distribution of African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) is critical for conservation and human–elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation in multiuse landscapes. This study assessed African savannah elephant habitat use around Lake Jipe in southern Kenya, across protected and unprotected areas. Using dung density as an index of African savannah elephant presence, systematic quadrant surveys were conducted in three habitat zones during both wet and dry seasons. Environmental variables, including vegetation structure and forage quality, were also evaluated to explore ecological drivers of distribution. Dung densities were consistently higher in protected areas, suggesting a preference for secure habitats. Fewer dung piles were recorded in the dry season than in the wet season, indicating possible seasonal dispersal. African savannah elephant presence declined with increasing distance from the lake, suggesting a strong attraction to lake-associated habitats. Vegetation structure differed across zones; protected areas supported higher grass cover, while unprotected areas showed greater woody species diversity, likely reflecting varied land use. However, no distinct ecological separation was found between zones, indicating localised or anthropogenic factors may influence habitat use. These findings highlight the ecological importance of both land types and suggest that effective management may benefit from spatially adaptive, seasonally informed strategies.

 Site référencé:  African Journal of Ecology

African Journal of Ecology 

Seasonal Pattern of Springbok Fence Related Mortalities in Southern Namibia
17/10/2025
Meliponophagy : New Records Involving Native and Exotic Jumping Spiders (Araneae, Salticidae) Preying Upon Stingless Bees (Apidae, Meliponini) in the (…)
13/10/2025
Phenological Trends of Palearctic Passerine Bird Species Wintering in The Gambia and Nigeria
13/10/2025
Unravelling the Influence of Coastal Pollution on Sea Turtle Habitat Use in Delta State, Nigeria
29/09/2025
Estimating the Taxonomic Richness and Functional Structure of Ant Communities in Olive Groves of Kabylia, Algeria
26/09/2025
Understanding Biodiversity in Togo : Unravelling Species Richness and Distribution Patterns in Tropical Ecosystems
22/09/2025