Tana River Mangabey Use of Nonforest Areas: Functional Connectivity in a Fragmented Landscape in Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACTHabitat loss and fragmentation is a serious threat to biodiversity. Fragment isolation can be reduced if fragments are connected, either structurally through habitat corridors or functionally if the species can move through the surrounding matrix. One‐way to evaluate landscape connectivity is to observe natural movements of animals within fragmented landscapes. The Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) is an endangered monkey endemic to fragmented forests along the lower Tana River in Kenya, and who has been observed to move through matrix between fragments. One mangabey group moved through 1 km of matrix, while another group moved through two areas of matrix. I collected behavioral and ranging data on the latter group to describe its behavior and time spent in the matrix. Utilizing data from belt transects in the matrix and forest fragments, I characterized the vegetation structure of the matrix and compared it to the forests included in each group's home range. The group spent the majority of their time eating while in the matrix, and spent an average 36.4 min in one matrix area and 100 min in the other. The matrix is generally characterized by the highest measures for a nonforest attribute and the lowest measures for forest attributes. These results suggest that forest fragments are functionally, but not structurally, connected for the mangabey; a landscape approach to conservation, therefore, should be taken for the lower Tana River. Research investigating the limitations of the mangabey's ability to use the matrix is needed.