Conservation Value of Landscape Supplementation for Howler Monkeys Living in Forest Patches

Abstract

Many animal populations are forced to inhabit very small forest patches, which may threaten their long-term survival. In some cases, animals in these forest remnants are able to supplement their diet by using resources outside of their home patch, a process named 'landscape supplementation'. Although this is probably a key process for population survival in fragmented landscapes, little is known about the ability of most animal species to move through the matrix and feed from different landscape elements. In this paper we report several cases of landscape supplementation by two groups of Mexican mantled howler monkeys Alouatta palliata mexicana inhabiting two different forest patches in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Our observations show that howler monkeys used several landscape elements, such as isolated trees, live fences and neighboring forest patches to supplement their diet. These observations underline the importance of these landscape elements for the survival of forest-dependent animals in highly fragmented landscapes, as they can provide important food resources and, hence, can be considered as potential extensions of their home range. However, the degree of protection the landowner provides to howler monkeys and proper management of these landscape elements are key aspects in determining the use of these elements by these animals.Abstract in Spanish is available at

Spider Monkeys in Human-Modified Landscapes

“…Such behaviors can allow primates to supplement their diet in HMTLs (Dunning et al, 1992). As increasingly demonstrated in studies of primates (Anderson et al, 2007;Asensio et al, 2009;Chaves & Bicca-Marques, 2017;Estrada et al, 2012;Pozo-Montuy et al, 2013), supplementation dynamics are likely of critical relevance for species persistence in fragmented landscapes (Dunning et al, 1992), especially because the availability of food resources can be limited in forest patches, or because patches can be too small to sustain viable populations (e.g., Arroyo-Rodrı´guez & Mandujano, 2006.…”

“…In this sense, the maintenance of native and some cultivated trees in the anthropogenic matrix is of critical importance for spider monkeys, as all land cover types used by this primate were composed of trees (both native and cultivated). We refer to agroforests, such as shade cacao plantations (Theobroma cacao), mango (Mangifera indica), and guava (Psidium guajava; e.g., Estrada et al, 2012;Hockings et al, 2017), and other important landscape elements, such as vegetation corridors and isolated trees of native species (Asensio et al, 2009). Overall, the maintenance of these trees in the matrix has numerous benefits for both primates and humans.…”

“…Spider monkeys in fragmented forests are known to increase their consumption of leaves (e.g., Gonza´lez-Zamora et al, 2009)-a plant item with lower energetic content and higher levels of secondary compounds and structural material than other plant items, such as fruits (Felton, Felton, Lindenmayer, & Foley, 2009a;Felton et al, 2009b;Milton, 1981). Therefore, we hypothesized that monkeys in the matrix will use primarily fruits (especially from preferred tree species) to supplement their diet, and thus increase the quality of their diet (Asensio et al, 2009;Dunning et al, 1992). This hypothesis is particularly plausible considering that the matrix can be experienced by primates as a relatively hostile place, and thus, they are not expected to leave forest patches to feed from plant items such as leaves, which are readily available within their home patches (Asensio et al, 2009; although note that leaf quality is highly variable: Snaith & Chapman, 2005).…”

“…Therefore, we hypothesized that monkeys in the matrix will use primarily fruits (especially from preferred tree species) to supplement their diet, and thus increase the quality of their diet (Asensio et al, 2009;Dunning et al, 1992). This hypothesis is particularly plausible considering that the matrix can be experienced by primates as a relatively hostile place, and thus, they are not expected to leave forest patches to feed from plant items such as leaves, which are readily available within their home patches (Asensio et al, 2009; although note that leaf quality is highly variable: Snaith & Chapman, 2005).…”

From Farm to Forest: Factors Associated with Protecting and Planting Trees in a Panamanian Agricultural Landscape

“…Live fences house a diverse fauna, including birds, bats, butterflies, dung and carrion beetles, lizards and non-flying mammals (Estrada et al, 1994;Molano et al, 2002;Harvey et al, 2004). Although live fence corridors are most likely used primarily by smaller mammals, large mammals, including howler monkeys, have been shown to supplement their diet substantially by feeding from live fences (Asensio et al, 2009;Harvey et al, 2004).…”