In a study published in Journal of Animal Ecology, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that the presence of critically endangered Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) is associated with significantly more robust and abundant mammal communities in tropical forests. It highlighted the elephants’ overlooked ecological role in sustaining biodiversity beyond their well-known impact on vegetation.

The researchers analyzed camera trap data collected over 5 years (2017–2021) across tropical forests in Yunnan, China. The data included 9,822 independent wildlife events, with elephants recorded 78 times. Areas with elephants documented 6,001 mammal events; areas without elephants recorded 3,821.

They found that areas with Asian elephants exhibited stronger mammal co-occurrence networks—indicating more complex and resilient ecological interactions—compared to areas without elephants. Elephant presence correlated with higher overall mammal abundance (+57% more recorded events), particularly benefiting ungulates (e.g., deer, wild cattle) and primates.

Furthermore, while some mammals temporarily avoided elephants, most species maintained their daily activity patterns, suggesting elephants are not perceived as predators or intense competitors. The presence of elephants substantially boosted the number of individuals within species, though it did not significantly increase species richness (32 species with vs. 29 without). The decline of elephants could destabilize entire mammal networks.

"The extirpation of Asian elephants could severely impact ecological processes and animal community resilience. Protecting them is pivotal to conserving Asia’s tropical forests," said QUAN Ruichang of XTBG.

The researchers call for more research into how megaherbivores influence animal communities and intensified efforts to protect Asian elephants as a keystone species for holistic forest conservation.

Published: 29 June 2025