Shared hydrological refugia rather than direct ecological dependence explain elephant–baobab spatial associations in the African Savannah

This repository contains the field and spatial datasets used to support analyses of elephant–baobab spatial associations in the Mid-Zambezi landscape, Zimbabwe. The dataset includes georeferenced baobab occurrence records, borehole locations, and camp locations used in habitat suitability modelling and landscape ecological analyses. These data were used to investigate the environmental factors associated with baobab habitat suitability and to evaluate the mechanisms underlying elephant–baobab spatial associations in a semi-arid African savanna. The associated study found that spatial overlap between elephants and baobabs is best explained by shared environmental and hydrological conditions rather than direct ecological dependence. Data availability statement Raw elephant GPS collar data are not included in this repository because they contain sensitive wildlife location information. Access to elephant telemetry data is restricted and may only be granted with permission from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). No elephant collar locations are publicly released through this repository.