Modeling Human-Elephant Interaction and Conflict Amidst Climate Change and Development Pressures

This study examines human-elephant interactions and conflicts amid climate change and development pressures, focusing on the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana). Using Agent- Based Modeling (ABM) in NetLogo, the research explores how these factors impact elephant behavior and conservation strategies. The study draws on the Land-Sparing vs. Land-Sharing Debate, assessing the effects of separating or integrating human and wildlife activities. It also utilizes Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Theory to understand the adaptive capacity of human and wildlife populations. The findings indicate that land-sharing scenarios lead to higher conflict rates and poaching, while land-sparing scenarios reduce direct conflicts but increase poaching at protected area boundaries. Development and climate pressures exacerbate resource scarcity, resulting in heightened conflicts, particularly in shared land scenarios. High energy costs for elephants correlate with increased mortality, underscoring the critical need for resource management. The research concludes that a combination of land-sparing and land-sharing, along with adaptive management strategies, can help mitigate conflicts and promote coexistence. These insights are crucial for developing effective conservation policies that consider ecological and socio-economic factors, ensuring sustainable coexistence between humans and elephants in changing environments.