Joining forces toward proactive elephant and rhinoceros conservation

Abstract

Proactive approaches aimed to anticipate the long-term effects of current and future conservation threats could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of nature conservation interventions. However, these processes can be obstructed by a lack of knowledge on habitat requirements for wildlife. In order to aggregate and assess the suitability of current information available on habitat requirements for proactive conservation, we used a research weaving approach, and conducted a systematic literature review on peer reviewed literature on elephant and rhino habitat requirements. We synthesized data by combining a vote counting assessment with bibliometric and term maps, and contextualized this with a narrative review. We mapped out the current methodologies, results, terminology and collaborations of 693 studies. Our results indicated that the gathering of habitat suitability knowledge and the ability for proactive conservation interventions to succeed will further increase by embracing two types of inclusiveness. First, since habitat requirements can be This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.3 classified as both ecological and anthropogenic, we call for the integration of these two dimensions into holistic habitat suitability and carrying capacity estimates, when planning conservation interventions like habitat restoration and (re-) introductions. Secondly, the active creation of collaborations within and across networks of researchers focusing on different species, as well as across regional and continental borders, and science-policy realms is necessary to avoid a waste of limited resources. These arguments are supported by previous research findings; yet, our literature case-study regarding elephant and rhino habitat requirements shows that there is still substantial room for improvement. We end with recommendations on how to engage with the challenge of utilizing this potential, learning from insights from the field of human-wildlife coexistence.

Megaherbivore impacts on ecosystem and Earth system functioning: the current state of the science

“…We then qualitatively synthesized the reported megaherbivore effects on the level 2 response categories, across all type I and type II studies using the so-called 'vote counting' method. Using this method, we counted the number of statistically significant 'increasing' and 'decreasing' as well as 'no (significant)' effects per response category in order to evaluate the overall effect on that particular category (Vogel et al 2021, Stewart 2010) (Fig. 3).…”

Identifying the potential for sustainable human–wildlife coexistence by integrating willingness to coexist with habitat suitability models

“…The results from the habitat suitability models highlight the importance of using a holistic perspective, and considering as direct proxies as possible for both the ecological and anthropogenic factors in species distribution models (Vogel et al, 2021). It also highlights the complexity and spatial variability inherent in the factors driving both elephant presence and density.…”

“…The authors of this paper come from a diversity of geographical backgrounds because one of our goal was to increase knowledge exchange and address previously identified lack of collaborations within the field of elephant and rhino conservation (Vogel et al, 2021). We also have different levels and types of academic experience, different perceptions on conservation and human wildlife conflict and coexistence, and come from different ecological and social science fields.…”

“…We identified relevant ecological and anthropogenic predictors of elephant presence and density in an extensive literature review of factors known to influence elephant and rhino habitat suitability (Vogel et al, 2021) and based our final set of covariates included in the species distribution model on (multi-) collinearity between identified relevant covariates. Based on these assessments, the final covariates we included in our habitat suitability models were the proportion of the 5 × 5 km grid cells with permanent water, average terrain elevation, average terrain slope, average NDVI, livestock biomass (kg) and total number of houses in each 5 × 5 km grid cell (i.e.…”

“…Evidence for a clear link between attitude and actual behaviour of people is currently limited (Ajzen and Fishbein, 2021;Liu et al, 2011;St John et al, 2010). For example, there is limited quantitative evidence for a link between stakeholder attitudes and the socio-ecological suitability of an area for large herbivores such as elephants (Loxodonta africana) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis; Vogel et al, 2021). Nevertheless, a positive attitude can be linked to behaviour supporting conservation at a local scale, and can thus be expected to increase suitability of an area as a habitat or movement conduit for a species (Behr et al 2017;Broekhuis et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2011;Vasudev et al, 2020).…”