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Human-modified landscapes driving the global primate extinction crisis
Erik Joaquín Torres-Romero1,2, Vincent Nijman3, David Fernández4
1Ingeniería en Biotecnología-Universidad Politécnica de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.
Global Change Biology
|August 14, 2023
Summary
Human-modified landscapes like pastures, croplands, and roads negatively impact primate species richness. Indigenous Peoples
Area of Science:
- Ecology and Conservation Biology
- Biodiversity Studies
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Anthropogenic pressures significantly threaten global primate populations.
- Two-thirds of primate species are classified as threatened, with most experiencing population declines and trade impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of human-modified landscapes on primate species richness globally and regionally.
- To assess the direct and indirect effects of various infrastructures on primate diversity and population trends.
Main Methods:
- Utilized International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) range maps for 520 primate species on a 100 km² grid.
- Employed structural equation modeling and simultaneous autoregressive models to analyze landscape variable effects.
- Investigated impacts on overall species richness, threatened/non-threatened species, and population trends.
Main Results:
- Expansion of pasture lands (PAST), human footprint (HFP), croplands (CROP), and road density (ROAD) showed direct negative effects on primate richness.
- Forested habitats within Indigenous Peoples' lands (IPLs) and protected areas (PAs) were positively associated with primate species diversity.
- IPLs and PAs demonstrated a critical role in safeguarding primate species, especially at regional scales.
Conclusions:
- Human-altered landscapes, particularly HFP, pose a significant threat to primate species worldwide.
- Indigenous Peoples' lands and protected areas are vital for primate conservation and preventing extinctions.
- Policy frameworks promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing anthropogenic pressures are crucial for mitigating primate extinction risk.
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