Gandiwa E., Magwati T., Zisadza P., Chinuwo T., Tafangenyasha C.
Scientific Services, Gonarezhou National Park, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Private Bag 7003, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe; Mushandike College of Wildlife Management, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Private Bag 9036, Masvingo, Zimbabwe; Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886 Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa; Geography Department and Environmental Science, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886 Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Gandiwa, E., Scientific Services, Gonarezhou National Park, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Private Bag 7003, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe; Magwati, T., Mushandike College of Wildlife Management, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Private Bag 9036, Masvingo, Zimbabwe; Zisadza, P., Scientific Services, Gonarezhou National Park, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Private Bag 7003, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe; Chinuwo, T., Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886 Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa; Tafangenyasha, C., Geography Department and Environmental Science, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886 Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
We investigated the impact of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) on the structure and composition of Acacia tortilis woodland in northern Gonarezhou National Park, southeast Zimbabwe. A. tortilis woodland was stratified into high, medium and low elephant utilisation categories based on evidence of elephant habitat use as determined through dung-count surveys in relation to distance of woodland patches from perennial and natural surface water sources. The following variables were recorded in each study plot: tree height, species name, number of species, plant damage, basal circumference and number of stems per plant. A total of 824 woody plants and 26 woody species were recorded from the sampled A. tortilis woodland patches. Mean tree densities, basal areas, tree heights and species diversity were lower in areas with medium and high elephant utilisation as compared to low elephant utilisation areas. Plants damaged by elephants increased with increasing elephant utilisation. The study findings suggest that A. tortilis woodland is gradually being transformed into an open woodland. We recommended that protected area management in arid and semi-arid areas should consider (i) formulating clear thresholds of potential concern to allow for the conservation of sensitive woodlands such as A. tortilis woodlands and (ii) establishing long-term vegetation monitoring programmes. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
basal area; community structure; conservation management; damage; ecological impact; elephant; environmental monitoring; habitat use; legume; national park; semiarid region; stem; water availability; woodland; Gonarezhou National Park; Masvingo; Zimbabwe; Acacia; Acacia tortilis; Elephantidae; Loxodonta; Loxodonta africana