Forestry and plant propagation now rely heavily on elephants
Elephants are the world’s most giant and most ruthless herbivores. They are continuously helping nature to integrate its biodiversity and ecosystem. Elephants provide four significant contributions to plant growth and afforestation.
First and foremost, elephants contribute to reforestation and plant growth in new areas. They serve as seed carriers. The African elephant is the largest of the species. Despite their small size, Asian elephants are among the giant herbivores in the animal kingdom. Every day, elephants consume a large amount of plant material.
They often consume with the seeds and transfer the seeds in their intestines due to eating plants. Through the shit, reposition them in new locations. As a result, a plant’s seed is ejected thousands of meters away from its first consumption.
Elephants can distribute seeds across a distance of more than 60 kilometers, according to some research. Elephant excrement is also an excellent organic fertilizer. It aids in the germination and growth of seeds.
Elephant seed distribution allows plants to colonize new areas, resulting in unique habitats and food for many species. By delivering seeds, elephants help to preserve the natural equilibrium as well as forests.
Second, elephant droppings fertilize the ecosystem and help to keep plant populations up. The dung beetle sits in the elephant droppings also get food and breed from there.
In addition, beetle larvae that feed on dung are immersed in feces. Those larvae are once again a food source for a variety of animals, including field rats.
Third, elephants dig holes for water for their own needs, which provide them with the water they need and drink water for other animals. When a forest fire breaks out, it prevents it from spreading.
Fourth, the elephant changes the environment around it. As a part of the feeding process, vegetation growing in the lower part of a big tree got cleaned; thus, the appearance of the forest changes. Due to the size of the elephant, there is not much in the way of the elephant.
Elephants clear the weeds of their pathways by trampling. It allows sunlight to reach the bottom of the forest, allowing low-lying trees to grow. And since different types of animals depend on different kinds of plants, it helps promote the species’ biodiversity. Moreover, it creates new places for living things to live.
Elephants are currently on the verge of extinction. Along With time, the hunting of African wild elephants becoming more common because of the high price of ivory. We must take steps to protect elephants in order to preserve biodiversity and ensure their survival.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has identified elephants as endangered worldwide and critically endangered in Bangladesh.
