Relative density, range extension, and conservation potential of the lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in the Dzanga-Sangha region of southwestern Central African Republic

Abstract

From November 1984 through May 1985 a study was made of the density and distribution of the lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla (Savage and Wyman)), the forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) and associated fauna in the dense forest of Southwestern Central African Republic (CAR). The goal of the study was to gather preliminary information on habitat use by gorillas and to determine potential areas for conservation of these species and their habitat. The study area consisted of approximately 3 500 km 2 in the Sangha-Economique Prefecture, CAR.The method for determining gorilla density was based on nest counts from line transects which allowed calculation of population density of all individuals except suckling infants. 12 habitats were identified and related to 4 logging status types. 1 420 gorilla nests and 100 chimpanzee nests were recorded in 783 km of transects in 7 100 km 2 sample blocks. Relative densities in the various habitat/logging status combinations were estimated and the mean gorilla density ranged between 0.89 and 1.45 gorillas/km 2 . These figures are high in comparison to those calculated for other areas in Africa, possibly due to large areas of regrowth of herbaceous vegetation, especially plants of the genus Aframomum, in logged areas. Although gorillas favored secondary forest habitats they used all forest habitats for feeding and/or nesting. Light gaps in primary forest, herbaceous inundated forest, depleted forest, and areas of high elephant activity exhibited high relative densities of gorillas. Their primary food and nest material consisted of Aframomum spp., and its presence and abundance played an important role in the distribution of gorillas.Résumé. -De novembre 1984 à mai 1985 une étude de la densité et de la répartition du gorille de plaine, de l'éléphant de forêt et de la faune associée, a été effectuée dans la forêt dense du sud-ouest de la R.C.A. Le but de cette étude était de rassembler des informations préliminaires sur l'utilisation de leur habitat par les gorilles et de déterminer des zones potentielles de conservation de cette espèce et de son habitat. La surface étudiée couvre environ 3 500 km 2 dans la préfecture de la Sangha-Economique.La méthode utilisée pour déterminer la densité des gorilles est basée sur le dénombre-ment des nids sur des itinéraires-échantillons, ce qui permet le calcul de la densité de peuplement de tous les individus, à l'exception des jeunes en lactation. Douze habitats Mammaha, t. 52. n° 3, 1988.Brought to you by | University of Arizona Authenticated Download Date | 5/27/15 12:36 PM 310 MAMMALIA ont été identifiés et rapportés à quatre stades d'exploitation forestière. Sur 783 km de transects dans 7 100 km 2 de blocs-échantillons, 1 420 nids de gorilles et 100 nids de chimpanzés ont été identifiés. Des densités relatives en des combinaisons d'habitats -stade d'exploitation forestière, ont été estimées : la densité moyenne des gorilles est de 0,89 à 1,45 gorilles au knr. Ces chiffres sont élevés en comparaison de ceux qui ont été obtenus ...

Factors influencing the distribution of large mammals within a protected central African forest

“…data). The mean annual rainfall is 1,365 mm, with a dry season from December to February (Carroll, 1997).…”

Bonobo Food Items, Food Availability and Bonobo Distribution in the Lake Tumba Swampy Forests, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…THV occurs widely and is a non-seasonal food source [9,73,[76][77][78][79] for bonobos. However, THV distribution across the range is not homogenous.…”

“…1). Marantaceae species are known to be a key determinant for the distribution of great ape species across Central Africa [6,28,52,75,78], statistically significant differences in THV stems may be the driving factor for observed differences in bonobo densities across their range. THV are one stage of the forest regeneration process [81].…”

Producing Nature and Poverty in Africa

“…In this historical vision, "indigenous" people were vulnerable forest people who required protection to continue their "ancient" way of life in the forest (Carroll 1986:38;1988:320-21). While project personnel at first depicted the BaAka as "noble savages" struggling to retain their hold on older ways of living in the forest, more recently they have portrayed them as an "acculturated" people seduced by Western capitalism (Carroll 1986(Carroll :40-41, 1988Telesis 1991;Linden 1992).…”