Tropical warming and the dynamics of endangered primates

Abstract

Many primate species are severely threatened, but little is known about the effects of global warming and the associated intensification of El Niñ o events on primate populations. Here, we document the influences of the El Niñ o southern oscillation (ENSO) and hemispheric climatic variability on the population dynamics of four genera of ateline (neotropical, large-bodied) primates. All ateline genera experienced either an immediate or a lagged negative effect of El Niñ o events. ENSO events were also found to influence primate resource levels through neotropical arboreal phenology. Furthermore, frugivorous primates showed a high degree of interspecific population synchrony over large scales across Central and South America attributable to the recent trends in large-scale climate. These results highlight the role of large-scale climatic variation and trends in ateline primate population dynamics, and emphasize that global warming could pose additional threats to the persistence of multiple species of endangered primates.

Influence of climatic variables, forest type, and condition on activity patterns of geoffroyi's spider monkeys throughout Mesoamerica

“…In many primate groups, activity patterns may be affected by climatic variables [Dunbar, 1998;Dunbar et al, 2009;Korstjens et al, 2006;Wiederholt & Post, 2010], seasonality [Doran, 1997;Korstjens et al, 2006], habitat characteristics [Isbell et al, 1998], or some combination of these factors. Ambient temperature and rainfall, and the seasonality of these characteristics, are the main climatic variables driving activity patterns in many primates [e.g., Ateles: Korstjens et al, 2006; Gorilla and Colobus: Korstjens et al, 2010;Pan: Lehmann et al, 2007; Theropithecus: Dunbar, 1998].…”

Anticipating novel conservation risks of increased human access to remote regions with warming

“…We recommend that policy makers, wildlife managers, conservation organizations, and international development agencies place priority on developing strategic plans that foresee increased human access to remote regions as a near-term consequence of climate change, and one that poses an immediate threat to wildlife species of conservation concern that are already under pressure from climate change and exploitation in the Arctic and Tropics [7,28]. In this context, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) may perform a valuable service as a catalyst and mediator in discussions between the IUCN, local stakeholders, and conservation and climate change scientists.…”

“…Although not directly related to climate change, this example illustrates the potential consequences for species of conservation concern of increasing human access to unprotected areas. Moreover, the population dynamics of several species of neotropical primates, including red howler monkeys, display negative co-variation with the El Niño Southern Oscillation [28]. This suggests that interactive effects of increased hunting access to such species coupled with direct effects of tropical warming will be devastating, potentially pushing them past thresholds beyond which they cannot recover.…”

“…We urge this because increased human access to remote regions potentially poses a threat to wildlife species of conservation concern that are already under pressure from climate change and exploitation in the Arctic and Tropics [7,28]. Establishing policy that limits human access to and development of currently remote regions as a means of buffering the effects of climate change on wildlife may, in turn, reduce the risk of exacerbating climate change through wildlife extinction [29].…”

Peer Review #2 of "Primates in peril: the significance of Brazil, Madagascar, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for global primate conservation (v0.1)"

“…in eastern Brazil (Gouveia, et al, 2016). Moreover in the 594 future, protected areas and parks created to sustain threatened species may no longer be suitable 595 due to changes in vegetative cover in response to climate change, or individuals may migrate into 596 neighboring and unprotected forests where they are exposed to hunters or local residents (Araújo 597 et al 2004,;Malhi et al, 2008;Struebig et al, 2015;Wiederholt & Post, 2010). Projections of 598 climate change in Central Africa are less clear .…”