This project investigates the role of elephants in climate change mitigation through their impact on vegetation. It sets to identify demographic and habitat loss thresholds that can flip their role from carbon accumulators to releasers. Targeting both forest and savanna elephants, it seeks to uncover misconceptions about the two species and their hybrids. With elephants being increasingly threatened through poaching and escalating Human-Elephant-Conflicts (HEC), the project questions whether synergies exist between climate change mitigation and conservation goals, and whether these align with HEC reduction opportunities. Through a participatory approach, I will map and quantify the elephant populations of Ghana. I will study how their preference or avoidance of high wood density species varies along disturbance gradients, and how this impacts vegetation and carbon stocks. The study will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role of biodiversity in climate discourse.
