Article
Microbiology
Milan Thorel, Dasiel Obregon, Baptiste Mulot, Apolline Maitre, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Pierre-Yves Moalic, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Antoine Leclerc
Summary: The study investigates the fecal microbiota composition of captive-bred and wild African savanna elephants, revealing the significant impact of diet, daily activity, and institution on microbiota composition. Captive elephants exhibit lower bacterial diversity and altered co-occurrence patterns compared to their wild counterparts. Specific taxa are differentially abundant in captive and wild elephants, suggesting the influence of environment on microbiota composition. The study also identifies a core association network shared by both captive and wild elephants, emphasizing the importance of certain taxa in maintaining microbial interactions.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaja Wierucka, Michelle D. Henley, Hannah S. Mumby
Summary: Research on male African savanna elephants shows that social rumbles are individually distinct and stable over time, providing an acoustic basis for individual recognition and playing a crucial role in maintaining social bonds. Different frequency parameters contribute to the individual differences of these vocalizations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eva M. Gross, Joana G. Pereira, Tadeyo Shaba, Samuel Bilerio, Brighton Kumchedwa, Stephanie Lienenlueke
Summary: This study developed a framework for managing human-elephant conflict based on a review of conflict management in 12 African countries. The framework integrates environmental, social, political, cultural, and economic factors, and includes six interlinked strategies to guide managers. It has the potential to promote human-wildlife coexistence.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura Lacomme, Chloe Guerbois, Herve Fritz, Andre Ganswindt, Benjamin Rey
Summary: This study validated a field-friendly method for drying and storing African elephant feces, addressing the logistical challenges of quantifying fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) and promoting the consideration of welfare in conservation management.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tempe S. F. Adams, Isaiah Mwezi, Neil R. Jordan
Summary: The study tested the effectiveness of solar-powered strobe light barriers in deterring African elephants and found that these light barriers could reduce negative interactions between elephants and farmers. While elephants were more likely to pass by fields with solar-powered strobe light barriers, they were less likely to enter these treated fields, indicating the efficacy of light barriers in reducing human-elephant conflicts in rural communities.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amelia Jansen van Vuuren, Julie Bolcaen, Monique Engelbrecht, Willem Burger, Maryna De Kock, Marco Durante, Randall Fisher, Wilner Martinez-Lopez, Xanthene Miles, Farzana Rahiman, Walter Tinganelli, Charlot Vandevoorde
Summary: Preserving the genetic material of endangered wildlife species, such as the African savanna elephant, is crucial for future generations. Analyzing their genetic information helps us understand their adaptation and relationships, aiding in their conservation. The establishment of primary cell lines from elephant samples using a minimally invasive method allows for further research on their genetic material and cancer suppression ability.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
David W. Macdonald
Summary: This article explores the negative impact of human activities on the welfare of wild animals, how to mitigate these impacts, and the need for further research. It also discusses the relationship between animal welfare and biodiversity conservation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Enrico Di Minin, Rob Slotow, Christoph Fink, Hans Bauer, Craig Packer
Summary: African lions and elephants pose threats to people, crops, and livestock, and are themselves threatened with extinction. Human-wildlife conflicts mainly occur in areas with high human populations, crops, and cattle. Investing in high-quality mitigation fences could be a cost-effective strategy to protect people and prevent further declines in lion and elephant populations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allison Rogers, Adrian Treves, Richard Karamagi, Moses Nyakoojo, Lisa Naughton-Treves
Summary: Crop loss to wildlife, particularly elephants, is a threat to livelihoods and conservation support around protected areas in Africa and Asia. We measured the effectiveness of deep trenches dug by farmers neighboring Kibale National Park, Uganda, in reducing elephant damage to crops. The frequency of damage varied between and within communities, with trenches being more likely to be breached where people planted more crops favored by elephants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allison Rogers, Adrian Treves, Richard Karamagi, Moses Nyakoojo, Lisa Naughton-Treves
Summary: Crop loss caused by wildlife, particularly elephants, poses a threat to livelihoods and conservation efforts in protected areas in Africa and Asia. Low-cost elephant barriers have been successful in savannas but have not been extensively tested in isolated forest parks. This study evaluates the effectiveness of deep trenches dug by farmers near Kibale National Park, Uganda, in preventing crop damage by elephants. The results show that while trenches can deter elephants, the quality of the trenches and the presence of palatable crops influence the likelihood of damage.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael Koskei, Joseph Kolowski, George Wittemyer, Fredrick Lala, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Benson Okita-Ouma
Summary: Wildlife crossing structures are effective in mitigating habitat fragmentation caused by linear infrastructure. A study conducted in Tsavo, Kenya, investigated the use of 41 wildlife crossing structures by African savanna elephants. The results showed that the structural attributes of the crossing structures, particularly height and type, were strongly associated with the elephant crossing rate. Bridges, despite being a minority among the available crossing structures, accounted for a significant number of elephant crossings.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lev Kolinski, Krista M. Milich
Summary: The attitudes of community members living around protected areas, specifically Kibale National Park in Uganda, are crucial for effective conservation strategies. By implementing sustainable human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, such as digging trenches, installing beehive fences, planting tea, and growing garlic, it is possible to improve relationships between communities and wildlife while reducing crop destruction. Results showed a positive correlation between participation in the project and perceived benefits of living near the park, as well as improved attitudes towards the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This research will inform future conservation initiatives in similar areas where human-animal conflicts occur.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kristen Denninger Snyder, Philemon Mneney, Benson Benjamin, Peter Mkilindi, Noel Mbise
Summary: In the western Serengeti of Tanzania, African elephant populations are increasing, leading to conflicts with agricultural interests. Damage to crops threatens livelihoods, and understanding historical records can inform resource allocation and land use planning efforts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dinesh Neupane, Suraj Baral, Thomas S. Risch, Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz
Summary: This study evaluates the habitat availability and landscape connectivity of the Asian elephants in the Nepal-India transboundary region. The findings suggest that there is limited high-quality habitat in the region, but there is ample potential for further population growth. Connectivity between the subpopulations varies, with higher connectivity in the west and lower in the central and east. The study highlights the importance of maintaining current connectivity, restoring connectivity, and protecting high-quality habitats to ensure the conservation of elephants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Edwin Sabuhoro, Brett A. Wright, Ian E. Munanura, Peter Mkumbo, Katie P. Bernhard, John T. Mgonja
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between household livelihood security (HLS) and the prevalence of illegal activities threatening wildlife in the Virunga Landscape (VL). The results show that there are various links between human livelihoods and illegal activities, with education security positively associated with poaching and food security constraints significantly associated with poaching. The findings suggest that improving food and financial security is the most effective way to reduce illegal activities in the Virunga area.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Karen Bailey, Jonathan Salerno, Peter Newton, Robert Bitariho, Shamilah Namusisi, Rogers Tinkasimire, Joel Hartter
Summary: In biodiversity hotspots like outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, there is high demand for wood products due to household needs and population growth pressure on the environment. Research suggests that privately and collectively managed woodlots play a crucial role in supporting local livelihoods by providing essential wood products.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kyle D. Woodward, Narcisa G. Pricope, Forrest R. Stevens, Andrea E. Gaughan, Nicholas E. Kolarik, Michael D. Drake, Jonathan Salerno, Lin Cassidy, Joel Hartter, Karen M. Bailey, Henry Maseka Luwaya
Summary: This study focuses on modeling the intensity of grazing and NTFP collection activities using a combination of remote sensing data and proxies for human habitation in rural land areas, providing insights into resource use activity modeling and suggesting the inclusion of similar population proxy covariates in future studies.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cascade Tuholske, Andrea E. Gaughan, Alessandro Sorichetta, Alex de Sherbinin, Agathe Bucherie, Carolynne Hultquist, Forrest Stevens, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, Charles Huyck, Greg Yetman
Summary: Research indicates significant discrepancies in population estimates across different gridded population datasets when measuring and monitoring SDG indicators, suggesting the importance of utilizing multiple datasets to capture uncertainties. This study presents three case studies demonstrating the use of gridded population datasets to measure the reduction of people impacted by disasters, a key SDG goal.
Article
Ecology
L. Cassidy, J. S. Perkins, J. Bradley
Summary: A study reveals that the wildfire frequency in northern Botswana is unusually high, with majority of them being caused by human ignition. The peak season for fires is September, several weeks before the onset of the rainy season, when the fuel load is at its maximum and conditions are driest. It is recommended that Botswana learns from adaptive fire management practices followed in neighboring countries like South Africa.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF RANGE & FORAGE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonathan Salerno, Forrest R. Stevens, Andrea E. Gaughan, Tom Hilton, Karen Bailey, Timothy Bowles, Lin Cassidy, Patricia Mupeta-Muyamwa, Duan Biggs, Narcisa Pricope, Alfons Wahabe Mosimane, Luwaya Maseka Henry, Michael Drake, Ariel Weaver, Selma Kosmas, Kyle Woodward, Nicholas Kolarik, Joel Hartter
Summary: High-level policy debates on elephant management often dominate global conservation headlines, but the realities of people living with wildlife are not adequately reflected in policymaking. Human health and livelihoods can be severely impacted by wildlife, especially in landscapes where human-elephant conflicts occur. These conflicts may be exacerbated by climate change, intensifying resource competition and food insecurity. The study highlights the need for global conservation policy to better integrate evidence on human-wildlife coexistence challenges into long-term strategies at transboundary scales, particularly in the context of climate change.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrea E. Gaughan, Nicholas E. Kolarik, Forrest R. Stevens, Narcisa G. Pricope, Lin Cassidy, Jonathan Salerno, Karen M. Bailey, Michael Drake, Kyle Woodward, Joel Hartter
Summary: This study investigates the estimation of vegetation composition and structure characteristics using unmanned aerial system (UAS) imagery, and finds that different classification methods have an impact on the estimation results. The study highlights the utility and challenges of high-resolution UAS data in estimating fractional vegetation components, and also emphasizes the importance of spatial heterogeneity of vegetation structure for land management and ecosystem function.
Article
Environmental Studies
Jonathan Salerno, Karen Bailey, Jeremy Diem, Bronwen Konecky, Ryan Bridges, Shamilah Namusisi, Robert Bitariho, Michael Palace, Joel Hartter
Summary: This study explores the relationship between farmers' tracking ability of climate patterns and crop yields by combining farmers' observations and satellite estimates. The findings show that high-fidelity tracking of recent rainfall patterns is associated with higher yields, while tracking of less-recent patterns does not predict higher yields. This highlights the importance of smallholder knowledge systems in filling information gaps in climate science.
WEATHER CLIMATE AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Regional & Urban Planning
Laura Egan Krauser, Forrest R. Stevens, Andrea E. Gaughan, Son V. Nghiem, Pham Thi Mai Thy, Pham Tran Nhat Duy
JOURNAL OF PLANNING LITERATURE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Dana R. Thomson, Forrest R. Stevens, Robert Chen, Gregory Yetman, Alessandro Sorichetta, Andrea E. Gaughan
Summary: People living in slums and deprived areas in LMIC cities are often not accurately represented in census data and population estimates. This study examines the impact of incorporating slum population counts into population models and finds that it significantly improves the accuracy of population estimates at a local level. The inclusion of building metrics and slum training data in these models is crucial for improving accuracy in both urban and rural areas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Karen M. Bailey, Katie R. Hooker, Anne A. Loggins, Alex D. Potash, Donald W. Hardeman, Robert A. McCleery
Summary: Paid work experience and skills training are crucial for individuals interested in wildlife-related careers. In a survey of graduates from wildlife-related bachelor's degree programs, we found that those with more paid employment experience were more likely to secure full-time employment in the field and gain skills associated with long-term success.
WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Geography
Laura Egan Krauser, Forrest R. Stevens, Andrea E. Gaughan, Son Nghiem, Pham Thi Mai Thy, Pham Tran Nhat Duy, Le Trung Chon
Summary: Agricultural transition is a crucial element in global land use and land cover change, as seen in Southeast Asia where modernization has dramatically altered income, land ownership, and livelihood. The introduction of dragon fruit cultivation in Binh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam, has been driven by external markets and has led to significant transformation in the region. The study utilized remotely sensed nighttime lights data and advanced algorithms to differentiate dragon fruit plantation areas from urban lights, providing valuable insights into the changing agricultural landscape associated with this crop.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS
(2022)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Marion Borderon, Kelsea B. Best, Karen Bailey, Doug L. Hopping, Mackenzie Dove, Chelsea L. Cervantes de Blois
Summary: The use of secondary data in climate adaptation research has increased in recent years, providing valuable tools but also introducing potential oversights and forms of invisibility. Vulnerable individuals and groups most likely to be overlooked by these secondary datasets are also the most susceptible to climate change impacts, highlighting the importance of addressing invisibility in all stages of the research process to ensure equitable climate planning scenarios.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael D. Drake, Jonathan Salerno, Ryan E. Langendorf, Lin Cassidy, Andrea E. Gaughan, Forrest R. Stevens, Narcisa G. Pricope, Joel Hartter
Summary: In the Kazavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, sustainable elephant hunting alone cannot fully offset the costs of coexisting with elephants, necessitating exploration of other income sources to address human-elephant conflict. Community-based conservation efforts must enhance management capacity, integrate multiple income sources, and establish partnerships at different governance levels to address the challenges of elephant management.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)