Why are African forest elephants climate heroes?

African forest elephants act as 'climate heroes' by increasing the carbon capture capacity of their habitats through vegetation management, seed dispersal, and soil carbon cycling. However, the species is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss, having lost over 86% of its population over 31 years.

• African forest elephants increase the net carbon capture capacity of their forest habitat by influencing forest structure, specifically by reducing the density of smaller trees with lower carbon density to allow larger, slower-growing trees with denser wood to thrive. It is estimated that a single forest elephant can increase the forest's net carbon capture capacity by nearly 250 acres, which is equivalent to removing the annual emissions of 2,047 cars.
• Forest elephants promote the growth of large, carbon-dense trees by dispersing seeds through their dung. For certain species, the process of being chewed and exposed to stomach acid is necessary to soften the seed shell and enable germination.
• The presence of forest elephants is critical for both aboveground and belowground carbon storage. The complete loss of forest elephants is estimated to result in a 7% decline in aboveground carbon storage in their habitats. Belowground, elephants increase soil carbon through their dung and by leaving behind vegetation 'litter' that is resistant to decomposition by microbes and worms.
• African forest elephants are critically endangered, with their population decreasing by more than 86% over a 31-year period. They currently occupy approximately 25% of their historic range, facing primary threats from habitat fragmentation, habitat loss, and poaching for the illegal international ivory trade.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Why are African forest elephants climate heroes? https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/wildlife-climate-heroes/why-are-african-forest-elephants-climate-heroes/

Chicago

WWF International. Why are African forest elephants climate heroes? n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/wildlife-climate-heroes/why-are-african-forest-elephants-climate-heroes/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Why are African forest elephants climate heroes? |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/wildlife-climate-heroes/why-are-african-forest-elephants-climate-heroes/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndwhy, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Why are African forest elephants climate heroes?}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/wildlife-climate-heroes/why-are-african-forest-elephants-climate-heroes/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }