Large herbivores such as elephants contribute to tree diversity
A recent study using satellite data has highlighted the critical role that large herbivores play in promoting tree diversity in forest ecosystems. The research showed that areas with abundant large herbivores like elephants had more varied tree cover and more tree diversity. This finding underscores the importance of large herbivores in many ecosystems and that they should have primary importance in conservation strategies, particularly in the context of global efforts to combat climate change and extinction. Help big herbivores every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket!
Recent #research finds that lots of large #herbivores like #elephants š¦šhelp plant #biodiversity in rainforests! Help big plant eaters and #plants to survive! šš©¶#Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife š§šŖāļø @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7dB
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Soulful #elephants šš are not only intelligent, they add more tree cover and #tree diversity, finds this landmark #study. All #elephant species are threatened by #palmoil #deforestation and #poaching for ivory. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife š“š„ā @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7dB
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Cover image credit: A Sumatran elephant enjoys a playful river dip, by Craig Jones Wildlife Photography
Lanhui Wang, Joris P.G.M. Cromsigt, Robert Buitenwerf, Erick J. Lundgren, Wang Li, Elisabeth S. Bakker, Jens-Christian Svenning. Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally. One Earth, 2023; DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007 Media release from Lund University. āLarge herbivores such as elephants, bison and moose contribute to tree diversity.ā ScienceDaily, 3 November 2023.
Maintaining species-rich and resilient ecosystems is key to preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Here, megafauna ā the part of the animal population in an area that is made up of the largest animals ā plays an important role. In a new study published in the scientific journal One Earth, an international research team, of which Lund University is a part, has investigated the intricate interplay between the number of voracious herbivores like elephants and the diversity of trees in the worldās protected areas.
āOur findings reveal a fascinating and complex story of how large herbivorous animals shape the worldās natural landscapes. The tree cover in these areas is sparser, but the diversity of the tree cover is much higher than in areas without large herbivores,ā says Lanhui Wang, a researcher in physical geography and ecosystem science at Lund University.
āIn our global analysis, we find a substantial association between the biomass of large herbivores and varied tree cover in protected areas, notably for browsers and mixed-feeders such as elephants, bison and moose and in non-extreme climates,ā explains the studyās senior author, Jens-Christian Svenning, professor at Aarhus University.
Hereby, the study supports that large wild herbivores promote a diverse vegetation structure, creating a rich habitat for many other species. This is due to the animalsā consumption of vegetation as well as physical disturbances.
According to Lanhui Wang, these new research findings highlight the need to integrate large herbivores into restoration and conservation strategies. Not only for the sake of the animals themselves but also for the vital role they play in shaping landscapes and influencing biodiversity. The researchers argue that this aspect is not sufficiently considered within the framework of sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration.
āAt a time when global initiatives are intensely focused on combating climate change and biodiversity loss, our findings highlight the need for a broader and more nuanced discussion about ecosystem management and conservation measures. It is of utmost importance to integrate understanding of the ecological impact of megafauna into this,ā says Lanhui Wang.
The UN has declared the 2020s as the decade of ecosystem restoration. In total, 115 countries have agreed to restore up to 100,000 square kilometres of nature in total. To achieve this, more wild-living large herbivores are needed worldwide, says Lanhui Wang.
āI believe that we will need to protect and conserve large herbivores to achieve the UN goals. Megafauna are crucial for tree cover, which in turn promotes carbon sequestration and a diversity of habitats,ā says Lanhui Wang.
Lanhui Wang, Joris P.G.M. Cromsigt, Robert Buitenwerf, Erick J. Lundgren, Wang Li, Elisabeth S. Bakker, Jens-Christian Svenning. Tree cover and its heterogeneity in natural ecosystems is linked to large herbivore biomass globally. One Earth, 2023; DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.007 Media release from Lund University. āLarge herbivores such as elephants, bison and moose contribute to tree diversity.ā ScienceDaily, 3 November 2023.
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#AfricanElephant #biodiversity #BorneanPygmyElephantElephasMaximusBorneensis #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #ecology #elephant #elephants #EndangeredSpecies #herbivores #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #plants #poaching #research #study #SumatranElephantElephasMaximusSumatranus #tree #WorldElephantDay
Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus
Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus
Vulnerable
Extant (resident)
India; Nepal; Sri Lanka
Extinct
Bangladesh
The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), with its distinctive āYā or āVā shaped chest patch and shaggy fur, is a unique bear native to the Indian subcontinent. Once exploited as dancing bears by the Kalandar tribe, this phase of history is thankfully now over. They now roam across tropical forests and savannahs while snuffling through termite mounds and sucking up ants and honey. Tragically, these bears face severe threats from palm oil deforestation, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. You can fight for their survival by saying no to palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to make a difference! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Sloth #bears are nurturing parents with shaggy fur and unique chest markings. Living throughout #India theyāre now #vulnerable from #poaching and #palmoil #deforestation Help them survive each time you shop #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7PU
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Once exploited as ādancing bearsā, Sloth #Bears of #India are now vulnerable from #palmoil #deforestation, poaching and human persecution. You can fight for them by using your wallet #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7PU
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https://youtu.be/qSK2T-YybDk
Appearance & Behaviour
The Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus is native to the Indian subcontinent. They are distinctive for their long, shaggy fur which gives them a dishevelled appearance; along with unique āYā or āVā shaped chest patches that are akin to fingerprints. They have large, sickle-shaped claws and a protruding lower lip, perfectly adapted for their termite-hunting lifestyle. They are medium-sized bears with males averaging between 80-145 kg and females between 55-105 kg. Known for their slow, shambling walk and loud snuffling sounds, they are often encountered in pairs, with males being gentle with their cubs.
- Specialised for eating insects: Their long lower lip and palate help them efficiently suck up insects.
- A keen nose for sweets: Exceptionally fond of honey and jackfruit, they regurgitate these and other delicacies for their cubs.
- Tragic āDancing Bearā legacy now thankfully over: Once used as dancing bears by the Kalandar tribe, this horrific practice has been largely eradicated through concerted rescue efforts by Wildlife SOS, International Animal Rescue, and Free the Bears .
Support the conservation and protection of these bears by refusing to buy products sourced from illegal wildlife trade or deforested areas. Fight for their future with mindful shopping practices and help them by being vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket!
Threats
- Habitat Degradation and Deforestation: Human activity, including logging and agriculture, severely reduces their habitat.
- Human Encroachment: Growing populations of these bears lead to increased conflict with humans, as they search for food in human settlements.
- Illegal Wildlife Trade: Despite being protected by law, poaching continues for their body parts.
Conservation groups work to protect their future by safeguarding forests and offering alternative livelihoods to those who once exploited these animals. You can help them! Use your wallet as a weapon, ensure you do not buy bear or animal related wildlife products and boycott palm oil in the supermarket #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Habitat
Their primary habitats include tropical forests, savannahs, and grasslands across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. They prefer lowland areas below 1,500 m in India and 300 m in Sri Lanka. Sadly, they are extinct in Bangladesh.
Diet
Sloth bears have a highly specialised diet focused on ants, termites, and honey. They also consume a variety of fruits, particularly jackfruit and the petals of mowha trees. They use their long sickle-shaped claws to break open termite mounds and then suck up the insects.
Mating and breeding
Sloth bears breed during the spring and early summer, giving birth in caves or under boulders at the start of winter. Cubs are born blind and ride on their motherās back until they reach a third of her size. Litters typically include 1-2 cubs, sometimes up to three.
Support Indian Sloth Bears by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, itās the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Free the Bears. (n.d.). Indiaās Sloth Bears. https://freethebears.org/pages/indian-sloth-bears
IUCN. (n.d.). Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/13143/166519315#threats
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sloth bear. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloth_bear
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Sign Up
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Read more
Read more
Read more
Read more
Read more
Read more
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time youāre in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support
Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global
South America
S.E. Asia
India
Africa
West Papua & PNG
Keep reading
Keep reading
Keep reading
Keep reading
Keep reading
Keep reading
Learn about āsustainableā palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying
Fake labels
Indigenous Land-grabbing
Human rights abuses
Deforestation
Human health hazards
A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more
#animals #Bear #bears #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #ForgottenAnimals #hunting #India #Mammal #Nepal #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poaching #SlothBearMelursusUrsinus #SriLanka #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies
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