2007-10-28 12:25:59 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
There is something like 150 species of plants that absolutely depend on the elephant for germination. The seeds cannot be digested, so after the elephant eats, the seeds are passed out. Also elephants make the savanna habitat a savanna. Without the elephants you no longer have a savanna habitat but a forested habitat instead.
The significance of that is that the savanna biome over there has been around a very, very long time and many of the animals have specific adaptations for survival in a savanna biome but not in a forested biome. Earth has a great many biomes, many of them inhospitable from our point of view but all of them are necessary for a healthy balance. People need not wipe out species and alter the landscape for their own gain.
2007-10-28 14:26:34 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think they would exist without a people-oriented purpose.
There was a time when they were used by people in Southeast Asia as beasts of burden moving logs into position for the lumber industry and acting as a high powerful platform for archers and hunters.
Nowadays they serve the role of "charismatic mega fauna" which is the term for being the poster child for environmentalists trying to explain why the earth and its species need to be preserved. They always draw a crowd and make a better argument than saying "save the hissing cockroach."
2007-10-28 13:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Purpose they serve? Not sure what you mean exactly by that. They are an organism trying to survive like all others.
They are used by men to do work, and their tusk are highly valued, if that is what you mean. They are also in the link of food chains, etc.
But they really don't need to serve a purpose. I hope you are not one of these who believes that everything must serve man in some way.
2007-10-28 12:47:06 · answer #3 · answered by madcat 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
They don't "serve a purpose". They exist in and have evolved, along with the environment they find themselves in. To date, elephants still have the characteristics to survive in this environment. Sadly, however, the elephant's environment is suffering accelerated degradation and continued survival is problematic.
2007-10-28 13:38:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
in times of drought the elephants dig holes in the ground and the other animals can drink
2007-10-28 13:00:46 · answer #5 · answered by Maka 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
control human population
2007-10-28 13:15:33 · answer #6 · answered by ........ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Being awesome.
2007-10-28 12:33:54 · answer #7 · answered by JJ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they make watering holes for other animals
2007-10-28 12:35:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
And your purpose is?
2007-10-28 12:35:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
taking up space
2007-10-28 12:35:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋