MARK VINCENT J.

BALIÑA, MSERM – I October 16, 2020

REACTION PAPER
“Perceived Effects of Elephants (Loxodonta africana Cuvier) Presence and Impacts on
Ecosystem Services Supply in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, West Africa”

Our earth's resources are definitely under threat, “many ecosystems, including protected
areas, are reportedly been degraded, along with their ecological properties, processes,
and functioning and subsequent supply of services”. In a study by Isidore Gnonlonfoun,
et al. demonstrates the effect of biotic disturbances on the provision of ecosystem
services in the Penjari Biosphere Reserve in West Africa. Using economic valuation
methods, they were able to present the economic value of threatened services in the
reserve. The coexistence of elephant and local in the reserve causes minor conflicts. In
their study, three hypotheses were made, to evaluate the perceived impacts of elephant’s
inhabitation in the delivery of ecological services in the protected area and its influence
on the ecosystem’s capacity to supply different ecological services.
The study shows that growing elephant populations in the reserve is causing a decline in
the supply of identified ecological services, leading to economic losses. We know that
elephants are herbivores by nature. includes a variety of vegetation such as grass, scrub,
forest, and savanna, making it an ideal habitat for elephants. With the increase in the
elephant population in recent years, the vegetation in the area that has been the main
food source for mammals has diminished.
In the sampling and data collection method presented, there were 112 interviewees
identified where most of them were men “due to the professional categories in
consideration”. In the overall composition, it consists of “reserve administrators (10.8%),
eco-rangers (9.9%), nontimber forest products (NTFP) processors (10.8%), tourism
guides (14.3%), para-ecologists (13.4%) and local professional hunters (41.1%)”. On the
results of the interviews, “six products derived from ES were identified and recognized as
of high economic importance for local people”. Most of the identified ES providers were
shrubs and deciduous trees. In my opinion, sampling bias has somehow occurred in the
design because most of the respondents are from local professional hunters. As it is not
new knowledge to us regarding the rampant killing of elephants in Africa. In past years,
the decline of African elephant numbers has been due to two main historical factors –
demand for ivory and changes in land-use. Demand for ivory in consumer markets and
illicit trade costs ten thousand lives of elephants every year. Until today, elephants are
still endangered not only from poachers seeking ivory but also in the loss of their habitat.

ERM 504: Economic Valuation for Environmental and Natural Resources

That’s it, I think personal interest could involve. Besides, the sampling size should also
include local farmers as they also experience in the use and management of ES provided
by the reserve.

Based on the results, there were “Twenty-seven ES were enumerated, 13 provisioning

ES, 12 cultural ES, and two from the regulating and maintenance ES category.
Provisioning ES were perceived as the most important although not significantly different
from other categories. PES were also found to be most affected negatively by elephants’
impacts”. Provisioning services, by the way, are those services or products derived by
ecosystems (i.e. food, medicine, and wood products). In the discussion regarding the
impact of elephants on ES, I think the author should also briefly explain why these
elephants behave excessively. For example, in other articles I look through, African
elephants devour on shrubs, and eventually causing damage was triggered by the
decimation of other fodder species caused by rural development and deforested land area
for the industry. However, in the context of elephant behavior as an approach for
sustainable rural development in relation to the delivery of ecological services, another
study needs to be done.

While the growth in elephant population numbers “negatively impacts the supply of
regulating, and provisioning ES in the reserve”, for “cultural ESs, elephants’ presence
influenced positively nature tourism, environmental education, scientific knowledge,
artwork, spiritual or sacred, and cultural union.
Finally, it was great when I read the latter part of the article, all my conflicting ideas were
rendered and answered by the author. Indeed, “participative conservation should be
promoted, and local communities should take into account the sharing of the benefits and
economic returns from touristic activities in the reserve. Sharing of the economic returns
will contribute not only to promote elephant conservation but also to offset the cost of
managing negative interactions between elephants and riparian communities, for
example, by supporting the fencing of vulnerable farming areas”. Overall, the article is
interesting to read. It clarifies my understanding of the implications of the coexistence of
wildlife and the local population. This publication is a good reference for future protected
area management plans.

ERM 504: Economic Valuation for Environmental and Natural Resources