1
|
Koch Liston AL, Zhu X, Bang TV, Phiapalath P, Hun S, Ahmed T, Hasan S, Biswas S, Nath S, Ahmed T, Ilham K, Lwin N, Frechette JL, Hon N, Agger C, Ai S, Auda E, Gazagne E, Kamler JF, Groenenberg M, Banet-Eugene S, Challis N, Vibol N, Leroux N, Sinovas P, Reaksmey S, Muñoz VH, Lappan S, Zainol Z, Albanese V, Alexiadou A, Nielsen DRK, Holzner A, Ruppert N, Briefer EF, Fuentes A, Hansen MF. A model for the noninvasive, habitat-inclusive estimation of upper limit abundance for synanthropes, exemplified by M. fascicularis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn5390. [PMID: 38787941 PMCID: PMC11122667 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn5390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Accurately estimating population sizes for free-ranging animals through noninvasive methods, such as camera trap images, remains particularly limited by small datasets. To overcome this, we developed a flexible model for estimating upper limit populations and exemplified it by studying a group-living synanthrope, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Habitat preference maps, based on environmental and GPS data, were generated with a maximum entropy model and combined with data obtained from camera traps, line transect distance sampling, and direct sightings to produce an expected number of individuals. The mapping between habitat preference and number of individuals was optimized through a tunable parameter ρ (inquisitiveness) that accounts for repeated observations of individuals. Benchmarking against published data highlights the high accuracy of the model. Overall, this approach combines citizen science with scientific observations and reveals the long-tailed macaque populations to be (up to 80%) smaller than expected. The model's flexibility makes it suitable for many species, providing a scalable, noninvasive tool for wildlife conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André L. Koch Liston
- Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
| | - Xueying Zhu
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Tran V. Bang
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Southern Institute of Ecology, Institute of Applied Material Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Seiha Hun
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Conservation International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Tanvir Ahmed
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Nature Conservation Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabit Hasan
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Isabela Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sajib Biswas
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Nature Conservation Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shimul Nath
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Nature Conservation Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Toufique Ahmed
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Nature Conservation Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kurnia Ilham
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Museum of Zoology, Department of Biology, Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ngwe Lwin
- Fauna & Flora International Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Naven Hon
- Conservation International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Cain Agger
- Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Suzuki Ai
- Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Open Innovation & Collaboration Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Emeline Auda
- Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Eva Gazagne
- Unit of Research SPHERES, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jan F. Kamler
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Neil Challis
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Neil Challis Photography, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
| | | | | | - Pablo Sinovas
- Fauna & Flora International Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sophatt Reaksmey
- Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise Co. Ltd., Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Vanessa H. Muñoz
- Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise Co. Ltd., Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Susan Lappan
- Department of Anthropology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
- Malaysian Primatological Society, Kulim, Malaysia
| | - Zaki Zainol
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | | | - Athanasia Alexiadou
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Nadine Ruppert
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Malaysian Primatological Society, Kulim, Malaysia
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Elodie F. Briefer
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Agustin Fuentes
- Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
| | - Malene F. Hansen
- Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Sorø, Denmark
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Wildlife Trade Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hilborn R, Smith DR. Is the long-tailed macaque at risk of extinction? Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23590. [PMID: 38124676 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
We review the evidence that long-tailed macaques are at risk of extinction and find that papers supporting this argument present no data supporting a hypothesized decline in abundance. These papers contain numerous misrepresentations of the published literature. Long-tailed macaques thrive in human-altered habitats, are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as an invasive species of concern, and have shown the ability to increase by 7%-10% per year from low numbers, making the probability of extinction very low.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ray Hilborn
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gamalo LE, Ilham K, Jones-Engel L, Gill M, Sweet R, Aldrich B, Phiapalath P, Van Bang T, Ahmed T, Kite S, Paramasivam S, Seiha H, Zainol MZ, Nielsen DRK, Ruppert N, Fuentes A, Hansen MF. Removal from the wild endangers the once widespread long-tailed macaque. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23547. [PMID: 37667504 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
In 2022, long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), a once ubiquitous primate species, was elevated to Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In 2023, recognizing that the long-tailed macaque is threatened by multiple factors: (1) declining native habitats across Southeast Asia; (2) overutilization for scientific, commercial, and recreational purposes; (3) inadequate regulatory mechanisms; and (4) culling due to human-macaque conflicts, a petition for rulemaking was submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to add the species to the US Endangered Species Act, the nation's most effective law to protect at risk species. The long-tailed macaque remains unprotected across much of its geographical range despite the documented continual decline of the species and related sub-species and the recent IUCN reassessment. This commentary presents a review of the factors that have contributed to the dramatic decline of this keystone species and makes a case for raising the level of protection they receive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lief Erikson Gamalo
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Kurnia Ilham
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions, Gland, Switzerland
- Museum Zoology, Department of Biology, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
| | - Lisa Jones-Engel
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - Mike Gill
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Technological Primates Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rebecca Sweet
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Animal Management Department, East Durham College, Peterlee, UK
| | - Brooke Aldrich
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions, Gland, Switzerland
- Asia for Animals Coalition, Torpoint, UK
- Neotropical Primate Conservation, Torpoint, UK
| | - Phaivanh Phiapalath
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for South and South East Asia, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Tran Van Bang
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Southern Institute of Ecology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Tanvir Ahmed
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions, Gland, Switzerland
- Nature Conservation Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sarah Kite
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Action for Primates, London, UK
| | - Sharmini Paramasivam
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions, Gland, Switzerland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
| | - Hun Seiha
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Conservation International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Muhammad Z Zainol
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Malaysian Primatological Society, Kulim, Malaysia
| | | | - Nadine Ruppert
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for South and South East Asia, Gland, Switzerland
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
- Malaysian Primatological Society, Kulim, Malaysia
| | - Agustin Fuentes
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Malene F Hansen
- The Long-Tailed Macaque Project, Broerup, Denmark
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for Human-Primate Interactions, Gland, Switzerland
- IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section for South and South East Asia, Gland, Switzerland
- Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Behavioural Ecology Group, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vu TT, Doherty PF, T Nguyen H, Clink DJ, Nguyen MD, Dong HT, Cheyne SM, Giang TT, Phan DV, Ta NT, Tran DV. Passive acoustic monitoring using smartphones reveals an alarming gibbon decline in a protected area in the central Annamite Mountains, Vietnam. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23544. [PMID: 37572084 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring populations is critical for understanding how they respond to anthropogenic disturbance and for management of protected areas. The use of passive acoustic monitoring can improve monitoring efforts as it allows for collection of data on vocal animals at spatial and temporal scales that are difficult using only human observers. In this study, we used a multiseason occupancy model to monitor occurrence, apparent extinction, and colonization probabilities of a northern yellow-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus annamensis population with acoustic data collected from mobile smartphones in Dakrong Nature Reserve, Vietnam. Forty-five sites were randomly selected for repeated surveys in 2019 and 2022. At each site, a mobile smartphone was attached to a tree and recorded sounds for 4.2 days and 3.89 days on average, in 2019 and 2022, respectively. We manually annotated spectrograms for the presence of gibbon calls, and we detected gibbons at 24 and 12 recording posts in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Estimated local apparent extinction from occupancy models was high with 67% of occupied sites in 2019 becoming unoccupied in 2022. Apparent colonization was low with ~25% of unoccupied sites in 2019 becoming occupied in 2022. As a result, the apparent occurrence probability declined from 0.58 in 2019 to 0.30 in 2022. If the absence of calls indicates that cells are unoccupied this would mean an alarming decline of the gibbon population in the nature reserve. We suggest that in the areas with high hunting pressure, monitoring intervals should be shortened to at least yearly. In addition, urgent actions, such as patrolling, or gun confiscation, should be implemented to conserve the gibbon populations in Dakrong Nature Reserve and other protected areas with the same management context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thinh T Vu
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Paul F Doherty
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Hoa T Nguyen
- Institute for Tropical biodiversity and Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dena J Clink
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Manh D Nguyen
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hai T Dong
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Susan M Cheyne
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Toan T Giang
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dai V Phan
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nga T Ta
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dung V Tran
- Department of Wildlife, Faculty of Forest Resource and Environment Management, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Porco A, Chea S, Sours S, Nou V, Groenenberg M, Agger C, Tum S, Chhuon V, Sorn S, Hong C, Davis B, Davis S, Ken S, Olson SH, Fine AE. Case report: Lumpy skin disease in an endangered wild banteng ( Bos javanicus) and initiation of a vaccination campaign in domestic livestock in Cambodia. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1228505. [PMID: 37601751 PMCID: PMC10434565 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1228505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a case of lumpy skin disease in an endangered banteng in Cambodia and the subsequent initiation of a vaccination campaign in domestic cattle to protect wild bovids from disease transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was first detected in domestic cattle in Cambodia in June of 2021 and rapidly spread throughout the country. In September 2021, a banteng was seen in Phnom Tnout Phnom Pok wildlife sanctuary with signs of lumpy skin disease. Scab samples were collected and tested positive for LSDV. Monitoring using line transect surveys and camera traps in protected areas with critical banteng and gaur populations was initiated from December 2021-October 2022. A collaborative multisector vaccination campaign to vaccinate domestic livestock in and around priority protected areas with banteng and gaur was launched July 2022 and a total of 20,089 domestic cattle and water buffalo were vaccinated with LumpyvaxTM. No signs of LSDV in banteng or gaur in Cambodia have been observed since this initial case. This report documents the first case of lumpy skin disease in wildlife in Cambodia and proposes a potential intervention to mitigate the challenge of pathogen transmission at the domestic-wildlife interface. While vaccination can support local livestock-based economies and promote biodiversity conservation, it is only a component of an integrated solution and One Health approach to protect endangered species from threats at the wildlife-livestock interface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Porco
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sokha Chea
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sreyem Sours
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Vonika Nou
- General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Cain Agger
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sothyra Tum
- National Animal Health and Production Research Institute, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - San Sorn
- General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Chamnan Hong
- Department of Freshwater Wetlands Conservation, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Ben Davis
- Our Future Organization, Preah Vihear, Cambodia
| | | | - Sereyrotha Ken
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sarah H. Olson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amanda E. Fine
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Health Program, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nuttall M, Olsson E, Washington H, Ung V, Bunnefeld N, Merriman J, Griffin O, Hobson K, Diment A, Kroner RG. Protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement in Cambodia: Enabling conditions and opportunities for intervention. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Nuttall
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UK
| | - Erik Olsson
- Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science Conservation International Arlington Virginia United States
| | - Harri Washington
- Phum Dokhromum Sangkat Sokhdom, Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri Sen Monorom Cambodia
| | - Vises Ung
- Conservation International Cambodia Phnom Penh Center Phnom Penh Cambodia
| | - Nils Bunnefeld
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UK
| | | | - Olly Griffin
- Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Phnom Penh Cambodia
| | - Keziah Hobson
- School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Aberdeen UK
| | - Alex Diment
- Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx New York USA
| | - Rachel Golden Kroner
- Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science Conservation International Arlington Virginia United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Davis EO. Critical research gaps in understanding Southeast Asian women’s wildlife trade and use practices. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.936172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hunting and consumption of wildlife is a global practice with practices that are socially nested, mediated, and shared across social categories, including gender. Research into wildlife trade increasingly recognizes the importance of understanding and investigating social drivers and processes of hunting and consumption. However, studies of social norms, motivations, and actions specific to women are still lacking within wildlife trade literature, particularly within Southeast Asia. Women are central to how a society operates and to societal practices, and they are fundamental actors in initiating change in these practices. In Southeast Asia, women are especially powerful actors within resident matrilineal and bilateral societies. This article will reflect on wildlife trafficking through the roles and activities of women. While women’s narratives are lacking across all current wildlife trade research, I will highlight in this article critical research gaps, gender-specific issues in methodology, and important research opportunities.
Collapse
|
8
|
Pomoim N, Hughes AC, Trisurat Y, Corlett RT. Vulnerability to climate change of species in protected areas in Thailand. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5705. [PMID: 35383264 PMCID: PMC8983663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09767-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although 23% of Thailand’s land is in protected areas, these are vulnerable to climate change. We used spatial distribution modelling for 866 vertebrate and 591 plant species to understand potential climate change impacts on species in protected areas. Most mammals, birds, and plants were projected to decline by 2070, but most amphibians and reptiles were projected to increase. By 2070 under RCP8.5, 54% of modeled species will be threatened and 11 nationally extinct. However, SDMs are sensitive to truncation of the climate space currently occupied by habitat loss and hunting, and apparent truncation by data limitations. In Thailand, lowland forest clearance has biased records for forest-dependent species to cooler uplands (> 250 m a.s.l.) and hunting has confined larger vertebrates to well-protected areas. In contrast, available data is biased towards lowland non-forest taxa for amphibians and reptiles. Niche truncation may therefore have resulted in overestimation of vulnerability for some mammal and plant species, while data limitations have likely led to underestimation of the threat to forest-dependent amphibians and reptiles. In view of the certainty of climate change but the many uncertainties regarding biological responses, we recommend regular, long-term monitoring of species and communities to detect early signals of climate change impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nirunrut Pomoim
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Alice C Hughes
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China.,Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China
| | | | - Richard T Corlett
- Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China. .,Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|