Local ecological knowledge on preferred vegetation of African savanna elephants in the semi-desert highlands of northwest Namibia

Abstract

The Northern Highlands of northwest Namibia are a particularly remote and arid landscape, where wildlife, habitats and local communities are increasingly at risk from future climate change events. There has previously been minimal research on the population of African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) in these Highlands. The Highlands are located just to the west of Etosha National Park. One potential factor influencing the movement of elephants from the Park into the Highlands is their food preferences. The aim of this study was to determine the preferred forage species for elephants in the Highlands. The study benefited from local ecological knowledge of community game guards, and extensive field patrols to assess the most preferred trees of elephants. Our findings indicate clear selection preference for African star chestnut (Sterculia africana), and Commiphora species such as blue-leaved corkwood (Commiphora glaucescens). These species grow on steep mountain slopes and elephants are climbing slopes to browse those trees. Our results indicate that some tree species are much less preferred, most of which tend to be located in valleys or lower slopes. This suggests that a major factor in the increase in elephant population in the Northern Highlands is the preferred vegetation available on the mountain slopes compared to the vegetation on the flat landscape of Etosha.