Is There a Role for Human-Dominated Landscapes in the Long-Term Conservation Management of the Critically Endangered Kipunji (Rungwecebus kipunji)?

• Published in: International journal of primatology Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 1122 - 1136
• Main Authors: Bracebridge, Claire E., Davenport, Tim R. B., Mbofu, Vicky F., Marsden, Stuart J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-12-2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Animal Ecology; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Anthropology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cereal crops; Deforestation; Emissions control; Endangered & extinct species; Environmental protection; Evolutionary Biology; Ficus; Forest degradation; Forest protection; Forests; Habitats; Human ecology; Human Genetics; Land degradation; Land use; Landscape; Life Sciences; Monkeys & apes; Primate behaviour; Primatology; Protected areas; Reforestation; Subpopulations; Subsistence agriculture; Wildlife conservation; Zea mays; Zoology; Forest loss; Human–monkey conflict; Reforestation; Land use; Livelihoods
• ISSN: 0164-0291; 1573-8604
• DOI: 10.1007/s10764-013-9719-3

As forest loss and degradation continues, the human-dominated landscape outside protected areas should become increasingly relevant to primate conservation. Here we consider the Tanzanian endemic kipunji,
Rungwecebus kipunji
, whose small extent of occurrence (42 km
2
) and population (1117 individuals) qualify it for Critically Endangered status on the IUCN Red List. Habitat models suggest there is limited potential for expansion within the kipunji’s current protected forest habitat. In 2010, we examined the potential conservation role of land surrounding the forests using ecological surveys and structured interviews. Land outside protected forest is dominated by subsistence agriculture interspersed with tiny forest patches (almost all <0.4 km
2
) that cover only 2.4 % of the surveyed area located within 10 km of the forest boundary. Habitat bordering the forest forms a “hard edge” for kipunji, although some sites with single kipunji food trees, e.g.,
Ficus
, offer some potential for use. However, tolerance of kipunji in the agricultural landscape may be limited in areas where kipunji was recorded crop raiding maize along the forest edge, and protection/retaliatory measures are employed. The Bujingijila corridor (2.1 km
2
) is a priority site for reforestation, particularly in the context of ongoing “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)” activities. We recorded the presence of kipunji food trees and little agriculture. Bujingijila could provide habitat for an additional 88 kipunji (8 % population increase), using density estimates from a 2006 census. Bujingijila has the additional benefit of reconnecting the Mt. Rungwe and Livingstone kipunji subpopulations.