Thirsting Giants of the African Savanna: Assessing the vulnerability of Elephant water resources to climate change

African elephants are keystone species that play a pivotal role in shaping habitat structure and ecosystem dynamics. Central to their survival is access to dependable freshwater sources.

However, the accelerating pace of climate change is disrupting hydrological systems of the African Savanna, leading to altered precipitation patterns, increased evaporation rates, and intensified droughts.

These climatic shifts have profound implications, not only affecting the quantity of available water but also potentially impacting water quality, exposing them to new contaminants and toxins (e.g., algal blooms).

Moreover, the increasing scarcity of water resources is bringing elephants into escalating conflict with human populations vying for the same vital water sources, resulting in a surge of human-elephant conflicts (HEC). This poses a significant and growing threat to the conservation of this endangered species.

In response, this project embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the far-reaching effects of climate change on freshwater resources within the African savanna, simultaneously investigating its implications for elephant populations and the dynamics of HEC.

The multifaceted initiative encompasses critical objectives, including an assessment of the vulnerability of essential water sources to climate change, utilizing tracking technology to monitor elephant behavior in response to changing water availability, and conducting a comprehensive analysis of HEC dynamics.

Furthermore, the project will introduce an innovative approach to predict and identify HEC hotspots based on anticipated shifts in water resources in the future and the overlap of human and elephant populations reliant on these sources.

This predictive modeling will enable proactive mitigation efforts and will help guide stakeholders in developing adaptive strategies aimed at reducing HEC, fostering a sustainable coexistence in the face of climate change.

The implications of this research extend beyond academia, aligning with the need for holistic ecosystem management and potentially shaping conservation strategies to address the complexities of climate change impacts.