Spatial geochemistry influences the home range of elephants

Sach, Fiona; Yon, Lisa; Henley, Michelle; Bedetti, Anka; Buss, Peter; Boer, Willem F. de; Dierenfeld, Ellen S.; Gardner, Amanda; Langley‐Evans, Simon C.; Hamilton, Elliott M.; Lark, R. Murray; Prins, Herbert H. T.; Swemmer, Anthony; Watts, Michael J.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139066

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(51 reference statements)

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“…Bioaccumulation or biodilution may occur in the biological matrix, such as hair. Indeed, this matrix is influenced by several factors such as the physiology, diet, and metabolism of the animal species considered [ 46 , 47 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Hair as a Bioindicator for the Environmental Presence of Toxic and Trace Elements

Draghi

Agradi

Riva

et al. 2023

Toxics

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The return to pasture use as an alternative to intensive livestock farming implies some risks with the lack or the excessive presence of potentially toxic elements; in this regard, wild animals have been used as bioindicators for decades. Thus, the purpose of this study is quantifying Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Al, Fe, and Mg in fur from roe deer and understanding if it is a valid bioindicator tool. Hair was collected from 39 hunted roe deer and divided by age (<36 months old/≥36 months old), sex (male/female), and area of origin (urbanized/rural area). The mean concentrations of Fe, Mg, Mn, Al, Cr, and Pb were higher (p < 0.05) in the urbanized group; the mean levels of Mg and Cr were higher (p < 0.05) in older animals; and Cu, Fe, Mg, Cd, and Cr showed a higher accumulation in females. Our findings showed an age-related variation of elements, with higher concentrations in adult animals and females. In conclusion, our findings prove that hair is a valid matrix for this type of survey, and wild animals are good bioindicators for monitoring the presence of trace elements in pastures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Hair as a Bioindicator for the Environmental Presence of Toxic and Trace Elements

Draghi

Agradi

Riva

et al. 2023

Toxics

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“…Human activities have also reshaped the distribution of and exposure to pollutants for wildlife. Sites of high pollutant concentration, such as landfills or mines, may nevertheless attract wildlife due to the availability of other resources (Sach et al 2020). Consequently, animals can play an important role in transporting pollutants such as heavy metals into restoration sites.…”

Section: Element Geographies Ecological Stoichiometries and Wildlife ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…77 g Pb ha −1 yr −1 ) may compromise aquatic communities and ecological processes at this site. Similarly, elevated concentration of pollutants in elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) feces near mining sites suggests they play an important role in distributing heavy metals in South Africa (Sach et al 2020). Animals in higher‐trophic levels, such as predators and scavengers, are important vectors of pollutants due to the bioaccumulation of these elements in their bodies and excreta (Webster et al 2021 a ).…”

Section: Anthropogenic Impacts On Element Redistribution and Stoichio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding anthropogenic impacts on zoogeochemistry is essential for ecological restoration

Abraham

Duvall

Ferraro

et al. 2022

Restoration Ecology

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Ecological restoration is critical for climate and biodiversity resilience over the coming century. Today, there is strong evidence that wildlife can significantly influence the distribution and stoichiometry of elements across landscapes, with subsequent impacts on the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Consequently, any anthropogenic activity that modifies this important aspect of zoogeochemistry, such as changes to animal community composition, diet, or movement patterns, may support or hinder restoration goals. It is therefore imperative that the zoogeochemical effects of such anthropogenic modifications are quantified and mapped at high spatiotemporal resolutions to help inform restoration strategies. Here, we first discuss pathways through which human activities shape wildlife-mediated elemental landscapes and outline why current frameworks are inadequate to characterize these processes. We then suggest improvements required to comprehensively model, validate, and monitor element recycling and redistribution by wildlife under differing wildlife management scenarios and discuss how this might be implemented in practice through a specific example in the southern Kalahari Desert. With robust ecological forecasting, zoogeochemical impacts of wildlife can thus be used to support ecological restoration and nature-based solutions to climate change. If ignored in the restoration process, the effects of wildlife on elemental landscapes may delay, or even prevent, restoration success.

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“…Soil samples for total metal analysis were acid-digested on a block digestion unit and analysed using ICP-QQQ-MS (Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ-MS) as described in Watts et al (2019) and Sach et al (2020). Soil samples (0.25 g) were dissolved in a mixed acid solution (2.5 mL HF, 2 mL HNO 3 , 2.5 mL H 2 O 2 ) on a programmable hot block.…”

Section: Acid Digestion For Total Soil Metal Concentration (M Total )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Do soil amendments used to improve agricultural productivity have consequences for soils contaminated with heavy metals?

Kaninga

Chishala

Maseka

et al. 2020

Heliyon

Self Cite

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This study presents an analysis of the effects of manure and lime commonly used to improve agricultural productivity and evaluates the potential for such soil amendments to mobilise/immobilise metal fractions in soils contaminated from nearby mine tailings in the Zambian Copperbelt. Lime and manure were applied at the onset of the study, and their effects were studied over two planting seasons, i.e. 2016-17 and 2017-18. Operationally defined plant-available Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soil, were determined by extraction with DTPA-TEA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-triethanolamine) and 0.01 M Ca(NO 3 ) 2 , before, and after, applying the amendments. In unamended soils, Cd was the most available and Ni the least. Lime application decreased extractable Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The response to lime was greater in soils with an initially acidic pH than in those with approximately neutral pH values. Manure increased DTPA extractable Zn, but decreased DTPA and Ca(NO 3 ) 2 extractable Cd, Cu and Pb. Combined lime and manure amendment exhibited a greater reduction in DTPA extractable Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, as well as for Ca(NO 3 ) 2 extractable Cd compared to separate applications of lime and manure. The amendments had a significant residual effect on most of the soil fractions between season 1 and 2. The results obtained in this study showed that soil amendment with minimal lime and manure whilst benefiting agricultural productivity, may significantly reduce the mobility or plant availability of metals from contaminated agricultural soils. This is important in contaminated, typical tropical soils used for crop production by resource poor communities affected by mining or other industrial activities.

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Spatial geochemistry influences the home range of elephants

Cited by 12 publications

References 37 publications

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Hair as a Bioindicator for the Environmental Presence of Toxic and Trace Elements

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) Hair as a Bioindicator for the Environmental Presence of Toxic and Trace Elements

Understanding anthropogenic impacts on zoogeochemistry is essential for ecological restoration

Do soil amendments used to improve agricultural productivity have consequences for soils contaminated with heavy metals?

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