Wildlife carrying capacities in relation to human settlement

Abstract

Human encroachment into wildlife areas has usually resulted in the elimination of larger species, particularly the large mammals. There is a linear inverse relationship between human and elephant Loxodonta africana densities; reasons are discussed with particular reference to Uganda. Such a relationship does not necessarily hold for all species and the outcome of increasing human pressure on wildlife habitats varies with a variety of factors including the species concerned, rainfall, vegetation, soil and, above all, attitudes of the people towards wildlife. In many parts of Africa utilisation is likely to be the best hope for the conservation of wildlife. -from Author