Male Forest Elephants at the Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon - photo by Samuel
About me
I am a doctoral research fellow at the Global Change and Conservation Lab (GCC) at the University of Helsinki. My work focuses on understanding the role of African elephants in climate change dynamics and Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). I study how elephants influence vegetation, which in turn affects carbon storage, and aim to determine when their impact might shift from carbon stocking to releasing it. My research also explores whether conservation efforts can align with reducing HEC.
Before this, I completed a master's degree in Conservation Biology with a specialty in Behavioral Ecology and Wildlife Management at the University of Burgundy, France, and a B.Sc. in Renewable Natural Resources from the University for Development Studies in Ghana. My recent work includes an extensive field survey in the Central African rainforest in Gabon, using camera traps, dung DNA analysis, and measurements to characterize the demographics of forest elephants involved in crop raiding. I also worked at Ghana's Mole National Park, conducting mammal surveys using camera traps, participating in anti-poaching patrols, and collaborating with local communities to manage HEC.
With the ongoing biodiversity and climate crisis, where the loss of megaherbivores like elephants—whose activities directly impact climate dynamics—compounds the challenges faced by local communities, it is crucial to understand how these issues intersect. My goal is to ensure that we conserve elephants in a way that maintains their positive role in climate regulation while also fostering coexistence with the communities that live alongside them.
Research interest
My research is centered around some of the most pressing issues facing African elephants today—ranging from their behavior and ecology to their critical role in climate dynamics. Elephants are more than just iconic creatures; they are key players in our ecosystems, especially when it comes to carbon storage and climate regulation.
I’m fascinated by how these massive herbivores shape their habitats. Their daily activities, like feeding and moving through the landscape, have a significant impact on the vegetation around them. This isn’t just about the trees they eat or trample—it’s about how these actions influence the entire ecosystem, including the carbon stored in the forests. In other words, elephants are deeply intertwined with the health of our planet.
But as these majestic animals roam across Africa, they face growing threats. Habitat loss and fragmentation are escalating due to agricultural expansion, mining, and other large-scale land changes. These pressures don’t just push elephants into smaller and more isolated areas; they also affect their populations and behavior in ways that we’re only beginning to understand. I’m particularly interested in how these changes influence elephants’ ability to contribute to aboveground carbon stocks, which are crucial for mitigating climate change.
Then there’s the issue of HEC, a challenge that has far-reaching consequences for both elephants and the people who live near them. As human activities encroach on elephant habitats, conflicts inevitably arise. These can lead to tragic outcomes on both sides, but they also raise important questions about how we can support sustainable livelihoods for local communities while ensuring the survival of elephant populations.
My work aims to connect all these dots. I want to understand how the ongoing changes in elephant habitats—whether due to farming, mining, or urban development—are affecting their populations and ecological roles. By doing so, I hope to shed light on how these pressures might alter elephants’ impact on carbon storage and, ultimately, on global climate efforts. It’s about looking at the big picture and figuring out how we can protect these incredible animals while also safeguarding our planet’s future.
