Quantifying drivers of human-elephant conflict in an arid savanna ecosystem

The rapid expansion of agriculture and human settlement across the African continent has reduced and
fragmented natural elephant habitat, resulting in remaining populations being forced into closer contact
with people. Greater overlap in space use and competition for resources has proved a catalyst for intense
human-elephant conflict (HEC), which is further exacerbated by climate change and presents a major
threat to biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing (Shaffer et al. 2019, Front. Ecol. Evol.).
Implementing effective strategies for coexistence between elephants and humans requires a
comprehensive understanding of the ecological and social components of HEC but these have commonly
been studied in isolation.
Here, we will use a social-ecological framework by integrating datasets from both disciplines to address a
challenging conservation issue (Collins et al. 2011 Front. Ecol. Environ.). This project will explore the drivers
of HEC on the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (MPNP), which has the highest
reported HEC numbers in Botswana. Existing data on elephant distribution and crop raiding will be used in
conjunction with behavioural data from motion-activated cameras, remote sensing, and surveys exploring
community resource-use and attitudes to elephants. Four key objectives will be addressed:
1. Determine how elephant distribution and activity is influenced by ecological and geographical
variables (e.g. habitat type, topography, agriculture and settlements).
2. Quantify the influence of habitat fragmentation on HEC events using historical records and remote
sensing data.
3. Explore the spatiotemporal patterns of agricultural activity, and the perceptions of local
communities with regard to elephants and HEC.
4. Use a social-ecological framework to identify landscape drivers of conflict and employ individualbased modelling to predict the effects of changing land-use and climate on HEC.
The outputs will support stakeholders in reducing HEC and improving human welfare through the
development of effective mitigation strategies and designation of wildlife corridors