Africa’s wildlife has lost a third of its ecological power
New research led by Oxford University has revealed that Africa’s ecosystems are operating on less than two-thirds of the natural energy they once had.
Published in Nature, the study shows a dramatic decline in wildlife “power” – the energy that fuels essential ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and landscape maintenance.
By mapping energy flows through African food webs, researchers found that total ecological energy has dropped by over a third since pre-colonial times, primarily due to the loss of large-bodied species such as elephants, rhinos and lions. It said that these megafauna act as ecological engineers, shaping ecosystems in ways that smaller species or livestock cannot replace.
“The collapse of ecosystem functions performed by Africa’s megafauna is the most alarming result,” said Dr Ty Loft, lead author and researcher at Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute.
The team used an “ecosystem energetics” approach, analysing data from more than 3 000 bird and mammal species across 317 000 landscapes.
This method tracks how energy moves from plants to animals, providing a tangible measure of biodiversity loss and ecosystem functionality.
Shimmering web
The researchers said that while large mammals have declined sharply, smaller species like rodents and songbirds now dominate the remaining energy flow.
“Energy flow is the shimmering web that holds together an ecosystem. By seeing how this web weakens or strengthens, we can understand how life itself is reorganising,” explained co-author Professor Yadvinder Malhi.
Importantly, the study offers tools for conservation and restoration.
It said that energy-based metrics can guide wildlife recovery programmes by tracking ecosystem functions, not just species counts.
Globally, the findings have implications for biodiversity targets and environmental policy, linking species loss directly to the planet’s ability to cycle carbon, water and nutrients.
As world leaders gather for the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known as COP30, in Brazil later this month, this research underscores the urgent need to protect and restore wildlife – and the ecosystems they power.
Published in Nature, the study shows a dramatic decline in wildlife “power” – the energy that fuels essential ecosystem functions like nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and landscape maintenance.
By mapping energy flows through African food webs, researchers found that total ecological energy has dropped by over a third since pre-colonial times, primarily due to the loss of large-bodied species such as elephants, rhinos and lions. It said that these megafauna act as ecological engineers, shaping ecosystems in ways that smaller species or livestock cannot replace.
“The collapse of ecosystem functions performed by Africa’s megafauna is the most alarming result,” said Dr Ty Loft, lead author and researcher at Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute.
The team used an “ecosystem energetics” approach, analysing data from more than 3 000 bird and mammal species across 317 000 landscapes.
This method tracks how energy moves from plants to animals, providing a tangible measure of biodiversity loss and ecosystem functionality.
Shimmering web
The researchers said that while large mammals have declined sharply, smaller species like rodents and songbirds now dominate the remaining energy flow.
“Energy flow is the shimmering web that holds together an ecosystem. By seeing how this web weakens or strengthens, we can understand how life itself is reorganising,” explained co-author Professor Yadvinder Malhi.
Importantly, the study offers tools for conservation and restoration.
It said that energy-based metrics can guide wildlife recovery programmes by tracking ecosystem functions, not just species counts.
Globally, the findings have implications for biodiversity targets and environmental policy, linking species loss directly to the planet’s ability to cycle carbon, water and nutrients.
As world leaders gather for the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known as COP30, in Brazil later this month, this research underscores the urgent need to protect and restore wildlife – and the ecosystems they power.
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