bark stripping; central Africa; forest elephant; Loxodonta cyclotis; habitat use; seed dispersal; selective logging; timber species; Afrique centrale; dispersion des graines; écorcement; éléphant de forêt; essences de bois d'oeuvre; exploitation forestière sélective; utilisation de l'habitat
Résumé :
[en] 1. With a drastic decrease in their populations over the last decades, forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis are facing increasing human pressure. Their decline will have serious ecological consequences, as they are key actors in shaping ecosystems. Whilst timber concessions host many mammal species, the interactions between selective logging and forest elephants remain unclear.
2. Through an extensive literature review, we discussed the following: 1) the ecological and human factors that drive the distribution of forest elephants on a large scale as well as in the specific context of logged forests; 2) the contribution of forest elephants to the regeneration of timber species; and 3) the damage caused by forest elephants to timber species.
3. Although human activities have the greatest impact on forest elephant distribution, it is the availability of food, water, and minerals that locally determines their use of the habitat. Under specific conditions, timber concessions may host large populations of forest elephants.
4. As effective seed dispersers, forest elephants contribute to the regeneration of at least 41 timber species, such as Bobgunnia fistuloides (pao rosa), one of the most expensive woods on the market.
5. Damage caused by forest elephants is diverse and affects a wide range of species. From branch breaking to bark stripping, at least 61 timber species are used by forest elephants, and little is known about the consequences for the tree's vitality and wood quality.
6. The interactions between forest elephants and logging are complex and involve many variables, requiring additional research. Nevertheless, this review suggests that timber concessions constitute key areas for forest elephant conservation, provided that low-impact logging and wildlife management are implemented. [fr] 1. Avec une diminution drastique de leurs populations au cours des dernières décennies, les éléphants de forêt Loxodonta cyclotis font face à une pression humaine croissante. Jouant un rôle clé dans le façonnement des écosystèmes, leur déclin aura d'importantes conséquences écologiques. Alors que les concessions forestières abritent de nombreuses espèces de mammifères, les interactions entre l'exploitation sélective du bois d'œuvre et les éléphants de forêt restent floues.
2. Par une revue approfondie de la littérature, nous avons examiné: 1) les facteurs écologiques et humains qui déterminent la distribution des éléphants de forêt à grande échelle ainsi que dans le contexte spécifique des forêts exploitées; 2) la contribution des éléphants de forêt à la régénération des espèces de bois de d'œuvre; et 3) les dommages causés par les éléphants de forêt aux espèces de bois d'œuvre.
3. Bien que les activités humaines soient le facteur le plus important dans la répartition géographique des éléphants de forêt, c'est la disponibilité en nourriture, en eau et en minéraux qui conditionne localement leur utilisation de l'habitat. Dans certaines conditions, les concessions forestières peuvent abriter de grandes populations d'éléphants de forêt.
4. En tant qu'important disperseur de graines, les éléphants de forêt contribuent à la régénération d'au moins 41 espèces de bois d'œuvre, telles que Bobgunnia fistuloides (pao rosa), l'un des bois les plus chers du marché.
5. Les dommages causés par les éléphants de forêt sont divers et touchent un large éventail d'espèces. Du cassage des branches à l'écorçage des arbres, au moins 61 espèces de bois d'œuvre sont concernées, et peu de choses sont connues quant aux conséquences sur la vitalité de l'arbre et la qualité du bois.
6. Les interactions entre les éléphants de forêt et l'exploitation forestière sont complexes et font intervenir de nombreuses variables, ce qui nécessite des recherches supplémentaires. Néanmoins, cette revue de la littérature suggère que les concessions forestières constituent des zones clés pour la conservation des éléphants de forêt, à condition qu'une exploitation à faible impact et une gestion de la faune soient mises en œuvre.
Disciplines :
Sciences de l’environnement & écologie
Auteur, co-auteur :
Scalbert, Morgane ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Vermeulen, Cédric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Breuer, Thomas ; World Wide Fund for Nature Germany Reinhardstr. 18 10117 Berlin Germany
Doucet, Jean-Louis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Langue du document :
Anglais
Titre :
The challenging coexistence of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) and timber concessions in central Africa
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