Scientists traced how the death of one elephant can affect the ecosystem
Even after death, an elephant can influence the local ecosystem for at least another eight years. This is the conclusion reached by scientists who studied how the decomposition of elephant carcasses changes the environment in Kruger National Park in the Republic of South Africa, writes Discover Wildlife.
The research began after the death of a large solitary elephant named Alexander in 2009. His carcass lay near a road regularly used by researcher Dave Thompson from the South African Environmental Observation Network. Observing the decomposition of the animal's remains, he became interested in how it affects the surrounding nature.
Scientists began systematically studying changes in soil, microorganisms, and vegetation, as well as how elephant remains influence the behavior of other animals.
In the first stage of decomposition, the carcass causes the death of nearby vegetation due to a sharp increase in the concentration of decomposition products. In particular, the nitrogen content in the soil near fresh remains can be 3000 times higher than normal. Such a quantity of nitrogen compounds hinders plant growth.
The composition of soil bacteria also changes: the diversity of microorganisms decreases, but the activity of those that survive sharply increases. Later, the chemical composition of the soil stabilizes, however, instead of diverse vegetation, several species of fast-growing grasses begin to dominate.
Such areas attract herbivorous animals, which regularly return there. Their excrement further enriches the soil with nutrients, which means the consequences of the elephant's death continue to affect the ecosystem.
Izak Smit, a representative of South African National Parks, noted that this study convincingly shows how the nature we observe today is shaped by events of the past.
Thus, even after the direct source of changes disappears, its impact on the environment can persist for many years.
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