Mass sterilization of a common palm species by elephants in Kruger National Park, South Africa

摘要: Chronic herbivory by elephants rarely eliminates any species of woody savanna plants because these are typically vigorous basal resprouters after damage fire or herbivory. In some instances, resprouting elephant even increases stem numbers per unit area compared to protected areas. It is thus difficult know whether an has been severely degraded not although trees may be reduced in size, they will still present and relatively dense. By using exclosure the Kruger National Park, South Africa, we demonstrate that this ability masks fact entire populations a widespread African palm, Hyphaene petersiana, prevented from reaching sexual maturity chronic Besides sterilizing palms preventing their evolution seed dispersal, absence palm fruits, flowers tall stems other negative biodiversity impacts on associated fauna. We suggest determine sustainable plants, conservation managers also use reproductive condition rather than presence, height density.