LESSON 5:
ELEPHANTS AND THEIR
ECOSYSTEM
HOW DO ELEPHANTS BENEFIT THEIR ECOSYSTEM?
WATCH & LEARN:
HOW DO ELEPHANTS BENEFIT
THEIR ECOSYSTEM?
Play video
WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM?
An ecosystem is defined as the
interactions of all living organisms (plants
and animals) and non-living components
(air, soil, sun) in a defined area.
Ecosystems can be as small as a tree or
as big as the African savanna.
KEYSTONE SPECIES IN
AN ECOSYSTEM
What is a keystone species?
•
In an ecosystem, each species
connects to and depends on other
species.
• Every species in an ecosystem
contributes to the health of that
ecosystem. Some species are more
vital to the health of the ecosystem
than others. These species are called
keystone species.
•
If the keystone species is removed, the
ecosystem would change significantly.
ELEPHANTS ARE A
KEYSTONE SPECIES!
If elephants were removed from
their ecosystem, the ecosystem
would change drastically:
•
Many species depend on
elephants.
•
Elephants have many roles
that benefit their ecosystem.
SO HOW DO
ELEPHANTS HELP
THEIR ECOSYSTEM?
EATING A LOT!
Elephants will actually eat away the undergrowth of the forests
and savannas. This reduces wildfires.
NATURE’S BULLDOZERS
Elephants have heavy bodies and as they move from area to area,
they create paths for other animals and people.
ELEPHANTS DIG
WATERING
HOLES
Elephants smell water 3 feet
under ground. They use their
feet to dig and find water near
dried up riverbeds.
.
Once the elephants are done
drinking, other animals come in
and drink from the new
watering holes.
FOOTPRINTS
Elephants leave very large
footprints in the mud.
The holes will actually fill
with water and allow for
smaller species to create
their own tiny ecosystem.
DUNG
Elephant dung helps in lots of
ways!
• It is a fertilizer for the
environment and for plant
seeds.
• It is food for the dung beetle.
• It is a seed distributer for
many different types of
plants.
ELEPHANTS AND TOURISM
Elephants also help their
ecosystem by being the
focus of ecotourists:
•
Ecotourists are people who
travel to countries just to
see elephants in the wild.
•
Ecotourists bring dollars to
help protect elephants and
their ecosystem and that
also benefits the local
people.
DISCUSSION TIME:
HOW DO ELEPHANTS BENEFIT THEIR ECOSYSTEM?
WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT HAPPEN TO THEIR
ECOSYSTEM IF ELEPHANTS WERE REMOVED?