Abstract
Land-use change pushes biodiversity into human-modified landscapes, where native ecosystems are surrounded by anthropic land covers (ALCs). Yet, the ability of species to use these emerging covers remains poorly understood. We quantified the use of ALCs by primates worldwide, and analyzed species’ attributes that predict such use. Most species use secondary forests and tree plantations, while only few use human settlements. ALCs are used for foraging by at least 86 species with an important conservation outcome: those that tolerate heavily modified ALCs are 26% more likely to have stable or increasing populations than the global average for all primates. There is no phylogenetic signal in ALCs use. Compared to all primates on Earth, species using ALCs are less often threatened with extinction, but more often diurnal, medium or large-bodied, not strictly arboreal, and habitat generalists. These findings provide valuable quantitative information for improving management practices for primate conservation worldwide.
Highlights
Land-use change pushes biodiversity into human-modified landscapes, where native ecosystems are surrounded by anthropic land covers (ALCs)
We focus on the most common ALC types in human-modified landscapes, including human settlements, open areas, tree plantations, connectors, and secondary forests
Different ALC types varied in the number of species using them (χ2 = 20.64, P < 0.001; Fig. 1c): secondary vegetation was used by the highest number of species (79) and human settlements were used by the lowest (34)
Summary
Land-use change pushes biodiversity into human-modified landscapes, where native ecosystems are surrounded by anthropic land covers (ALCs). To better understand species’ responses to landscape changes we need to assess the ecological role of each land cover (e.g., provision of food, refuge, and nesting sites) to be able to design functional landscapes[18]. This information can be used to improve management and conservation strategies. No comprehensive effort exists to link primates’ ecological traits to the extent of use of specific ALCs, greatly limiting our ability to predict the impact of specific landscapemanagement strategies on these mammals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
