By The Respondent Reporter
In the lush Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, researchers from Rice University have uncovered an important message: poaching doesn’t just harm animals it weakens the entire forest.
By comparing a protected national park with a nearby forest heavily impacted by poaching, the team found that hunting is reducing populations of animals like monkeys and bats.
And when those animals disappear, the forest changes too from the way nutrients flow through the soil to the overall health of the ecosystem.
Annie Finneran, a Ph.D. student leading the project, used camera traps and soil samples to show that without big animals to move nutrients around, forests become less balanced and resilient. That means the forest could struggle to recover from climate shifts or human pressure.
Meanwhile, undergraduate researcher Caroline Pollan focused on bats tiny, unsung heroes of the forest. Using sound monitors and safe trapping methods, she discovered that bats are also affected by poaching. Fewer bats could mean fewer pollinators and pest-controllers, throwing off the ecosystem even more.
What’s unique about this research? It combines advanced science with local partnerships in Tanzania. The goal is to help guide conservation efforts that not only protect wildlife, but also support tourism and community development in the long run.The message is clear: healthy forests need healthy wildlife big and small.