Muddy waters: Mega-herbivores as agents of change in African shallow freshwaters

Abstract

Large herbivores have been described as agents of change in terrestrial habitats. Their effect on aquatic ecosystems are, however, underexplored. We raise the question of whether elephants and hippopotamus have the potential to significantly alter limnological properties and, indirectly, primary and secondary productivity within small and shallow freshwaters in arid and semi-arid African landscapes. In this note we discuss hypothetical means by which elephants and hippopotamus alter shallow freshwater bodies. We further assimilate this with known ways by which these mega-herbivores alter aquatic environments giving an overview of their potential functional role in structuring aquatic habitats.