In 300 years, 64% of their habitats have disappeared, according to the latest studies
Humanity, in its eagerness for permanent economic growth, has killed, stolen and destroyed everything it has found in its path. An example of this is the serious situation of the Asian elephant (elephas maximus). Despite being revered in many countries of the continent, this great animal is on the brink of extinction. One of the reasons is the loss of spaces where this species can live in peace. And it is that in three centuries more than half of the immense grasslands and tropical forests where they live have disappeared. According to various studies, it is estimated that they are currently released and in the wild approximately 50,000 specimenswhile there are another 15,000 in captivity.
According to a recent article published in Scientific Reportsand led by the expert researcher in these pachyderms Shermin de Silva, the habitat of these Asian giants has decreased by more than 64% in just over three centuries. That percentage translates to the loss of 3.3 million square kilometers of land in Asia. According to the authors of the article, this loss of habitat occurs after a relative stability reigned for centuries and until recently. The decline of these animals coincides with changes in land use since colonial times and agricultural intensification in South Asia.
This loss of habitats can also make it difficult for these animals to coexist with humans, increasing the risk of conflicts between the two in the near future. To carry out this study, De Silva and his colleagues evaluated the spatial distribution of elephants in up to 13 countries of the continent through three centuries. To this data, they added an assessment of how land use had changed in those locations between 1850 and 2015. Both data can be used to model the suitability of a habitat over time. Considering a habitat as “suitable” for animal coexistence had to meet certain minimum criteria. Some criteria that were defined by the percentage of forests and pastures, non-wooded vegetation, cultivation and irrigation patterns, wood extraction rates or the percentage of urbanization.
Thus, for example, they saw that the area in which elephants are found today has been reduced by more than 51.4%. Because if in 1700 elephants could have inhabited 100% of that area, now they barely do so in 48.6% of that space. Widespread losses in Asia
In this habitat loss, mainland China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and Sumatra take the cake. Each of these countries have lost more than half of the adequate spaces for elephants to develop their lives. China is the most affected country. In these three centuries, the habitable land for pachyderms has been reduced to only 6%. India, home to two thirds of the world’s population of this species, is not far behind. In this country, no less than 86% of the suitable habitat for its revered elephants has been lost. Only on the giant island of Borneo (Indonesia) has there been an increase in areas suitable for elephants. The need to configure land uses that are more respectful of the Asian elephant is, according to the researchers, essential to stop the disappearance of this species.
Reference study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-30650-8……..Contact of the Environment section: [email protected]