Lapalala Elephant Landscape Experiment

The aim of the Lapalala Elephant Landscape Experiment (LELE) project is to determine the long-term impact of elephants on vegetation dynamics such as tree biomass, tree structure, plant species composition in Lapalala. To achieve this aim, it is important to distinguish between the impact of elephants and other herbivores by means of a combination of elephant-exclosures, herbivore exclosures, and control plots. Eight experimental plots have been constructed and are monitored and maintained on a weekly basis. Another aim of the LELE project is to determine the long-term impact of elephants on the regeneration of trees. Such impact of elephants would be very difficult to recognise and slow to detect if we were to observe tree regeneration from the current situation only. The LELE project will help predict the long-term impact of elephants on the landscape and tree regeneration – a starting point for effective evidence-based elephant population management.

Collaborators: Karlsruhe University, University of Johannesburg, TNH Fencing