Impact of Elephants (Loxodonta Africana) on Woody Vegetation Structure and Composition around Water Pans in Hurungwe Safari Area, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The ecology of African savanna and woodlands is largely influenced by wild animals especially elephants (Loxodonta Africana). Elephants have the potential to markedly alter vegetation structure and composition through their foraging and trampling activities. The study was set out to investigate the effects of elephants on vegetation structure and composition around major water pans in the Nyakasanga section, Hurungwe Safari Area (HSA) in Zimbabwe. The results indicate that elephants altered the woody vegetation density around the water pans as four out of five pans studied recorded 0.02 trees per m2. Elephants physiologically damage woody plants and some were left to gradually die. Our study findings suggest that Colophospermum mopane woodland around water pans in HSA is being degraded. HSA management should consider developing a monitoring program on woody vegetation through establishing plots and further studies need to be carried out on general recruitment of most affected woody vegetation.