Survey of Loxodonta africana (Elephantidae)-caused bark injury on Adansonia digitata (Malavaceae) within Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Benin

Abstract

This study assessed the level of bark damage on baobab trees (Adansonia digitata) as caused by elephants (Loxodonta africana), and the possibility of finding refuges where baobab could escape bark damage within the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR). Distributions of elephants and baobab trees within the PBR were compared using presence records of both species taken along transect lines.Two sites (National Park vs. hunting zone) that differ in elephant density were compared for intensity of bark damage and correlations between the intensity of bark damage and stem size of the baobab trees and population structure of the baobab trees. Elephants and baobabs showed co-occurrence in PBR suggesting that there is nowhere to hide for baobabs. The intensity of bark damage was positively correlated with elephant density and baobab girth. Baobab population girth classes were not significantly different in areas with and without bark damage. Future studies should test whether there are certain baobab genotypes that can resist elephant damage. It could also be tested whether effective conservation of elephants in the PBR has resulted in a bull-biased population over its carrying capacity.