Join the Botanical Society of Scotland in their next lecture about forest elephants in Central Africa and how they have shaped the landscape.
African forest elephants in this area are a key seed disperser, their dietary habits help construct the giant carbon-sequestering tree community that this area is known for. Without them, the very composition of the forest would change.
Forest elephants are ecological engineers, or “mega-gardeners” of this enormous forest bloc, which covers about two million km2. They disperse seeds of numerous tree species, transport vital soil nutrients, and shape the physical structure of the forest. In this lecture we look at these phenomena, look at some recently published work, and ask: “what happens to the forest when forest elephants are absent?”
Fiona “Boo” Maisels, a conservation scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) details the ecological benefits of this charismatic species, why they are so crucial for forest health, and what could happen if we lose them.
With thanks to the Botanical Society of Scotland for creating this lecture series and welcoming our Botanics members to it.
Venue Note: To access the lecture please enter via the Science Buildings main reception, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR and follow the signs to the Lecture Theatre.
Note this is NOT the public entrance to the gardens.