African elephants (iLoxodonta Africana cyclotis/i) serve a pivotal role in shaping forest ecosystems, particularly in regions like Mount Cameroon national park. Their size and behavior impact various ecological components, from canopy structure to understory dynamics. Also, elephants play a crucial role as ecosystem engineers, and their foraging and browsing behaviors induce significant disturbances that shape forest characteristics. This study explored the impact of African forest elephants’ activity on the forest ecology of Mount Cameroon national park, focusing on six key areas, forest canopy structure, tree species composition, forest tree regeneration, vine growth, forest understory dynamics, and large trees formation. Research data collection was carried out five days each month, for a period of six months. Systematic vegetation plots within selected sites were established to examine tree abundance and species diversity. Quadrats and transects were equally used to capture data on the types and numbers of trees, especially focusing on both preferred and less preferred species by elephants. The results of this study showed that African forest elephant activity recorded a significant association on forest canopy structure r=0.309 P=0.001, tree species composition Xsup2/sup=83.267 df=6 P=0.000, forest tree regeneration Xsup2/sup=45.891 df=6 P=0.000, vine growth Xsup2/sup=54.030 df=6 P=0.000, forest understory Xsup2/sup=69.696 df=6 P=0.000, and large trees structure Xsup2/sup=73.283 df=6 P=0.000 respectively. Furthermore, human-wildlife conflict revealed a significant link on elephant population threat Xsup2/sup=63.720 df=4 P=0.000, biodiversity rating Xsup2/sup=63.154 df=4 P=0.000, and elephants grouping behaviour Xsup2/sup=62.876 df=4 P=0.000 respectively. Forest elephants play a crucial role in rainforest ecosystem. Their activities, including browsing, trampling, and creating trails, modify the forest structure, which in turn affects resource availability and habitat for other species. As human populations expand into rainforest areas, elephants face habitat loss and fragmentation. This encroachment reduces the space available for elephants to roam and feed, leading to population declines. The findings indicated that elephant interactions result in increased biodiversity, altered species distributions, and varying regeneration patterns, which collectively contribute to the resilience of forest ecosystems. This research equally underscores the importance of elephants in maintaining ecological balance in Mount Cameroon national park and provides insights for effective conservation strategies aimed at protecting both elephant populations and the valuable forest habitat they help sustain.
Bolabo et al. (Thu,) studied this question.