Full Text Description of This Project (PDF)
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Endorsements For This Project
Abstract:
This proposal requests financial support for acquiring two pieces of forested land in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The Atlantic Forest of South America is one of the five leading biodiversity hotspots in the world. It is considered to be more complex and with higher species diversity than most of the Amazonian forests in South America. Within the remaining areas of the Atlantic forest, the best preserved regions are found in the steep inland mountains of the state of São Paulo in Brazil. A key protected area in this ecological region is a state park, the Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (Parque ECB) that is home to the endangered southern woolly spider monkey, or southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides). Parque ECB also shelters other endangered and vulnerable species, including jaguars, giant otters, and purple-headed parrots, as well as more common primates and an impressive diversity of plants and animals. Many species still have not been adequately surveyed because of the rugged and inaccessible nature of the mountainous terrain.
Two parcels of forested land adjacent to the protected areas of the park are for sale. A small parcel of 7.2 hectares (17.8 acres; 1ha = 2.47 acres) is located near the entrance of the park and is especially suitable for a field station with communication, laboratory, and data analysis facilities. This facility will also have lodging for project staff and for visiting scientists studying the ecology of the native flora and fauna. The small parcel is within 800 meters of the muriqui home range, and a foot trail will be established connecting to the network of research trails so that researchers can access the study area without needing to use a motor vehicle. A down payment has been made to secure this parcel, but US$ 25,356 must be raised to complete the payments for it (12,678 by late February and 12,678 by late April).
A large parcel of at least 303 hectares (749 acres) overlaps the home range of a group of habituated muriqui that have been under study for 20 years. Acquisition of this parcel is critical to protect the muriqui from development of the land and potential disruption of the normal behavior of the animals. This is an immediate concern, because this land is strategically located in the main area recently chosen for a Regional State Ecotourism Program, launched in 2005 by the São Paulo State Government with support from the Inter-American Bank of Development (IBD). Consequently, real estate speculation is occurring due to anticipated demand for basic infra-structure for tourism such as restaurants and eco-lodges. Discussions with the owner of the large parcel have begun, and funds to purchase this critical muriqui habitat are needed.
This project is a partnership between a Brazilian non-governmental organization, the Pró-Muriqui Association, and the Foundation for Comparative and Conservation Biology (FCCB), which has a special interest in conservation of primates and their habitats. Donors in the United States can make tax-deductible contributions to FCCB, which conveys funds for field projects without any administrative (or other) charges. 100% of the contribution goes to the project.
Pró-Muriqui works with non-governmental and public organizations, governments, businesses, academic institutions and local communities to enhance conservation research activities in the habitat of the southern muriquis. A volunteer-based internship program has been developed over the last four years and provides training in field ecology and field primatology techniques to undergraduate and graduate students. Pró-Muriqui will hold title to the land with appropriate legal conservation provisions.
Muriquis have great appeal for conservation. They are charismatic animals, and are the largest Neotropical primate species and the largest endemic mammal of Brazil, considered a key-flagship species for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The fact that the largest urban settlement of Latin America, São Paulo is less than 200 kilometers from the largest known population of one of the most threatened primates in the world creates a special opportunity for conservation education. Thus, beyond saving two areas of continuous Brazilian Atlantic Forest, this project will enable scientists and educators to work within an integrated conservation research and education strategy. This strategy will be the first of its kind with muriquis in Brazil, integrating science and education to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
Full Text Description of This Project (PDF)
Endorsements For This Project
Abstract:
The Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), an "endangered" primate species, is "endemic" to India and Bhutan. Its global distribution is restricted to the region bounded by three rivers: Sankosh in the east, Manas in the west, and Brahmaputra in the south. This region includes 1500 sq. km in western Assam, India and 1400 sq. km in the foothills of Bhutan in the north up to an altitude of 3000 meters. In Bhutan the populations seem to be doing well in protected areas like Royal Manas NP (National Park), Black Mountain NP, Trumsingla WLS (Wildlife Sanctuary) and Phipsoo WLS. But in India, only a small portion of the Golden langur’s range is protected (40 sq. km in Manas NP and 45 sq. km in Chakrashilla WLS) while a substantial population is distributed in different Reserve Forests, Proposed Reserve Forests and in non-forested areas of Dhubri, Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts of Assam. Recent estimates compiled with satellite images reveal that 30% of these forest habitats of the Golden langur were lost during the last 10-12 years in India (Forest Survey of India, 1997) resulting in severe fragmentation and degradation of the habitats (see appendix-I). The populations that live in these fragmented Reserve Forests and Proposed Reserve Forests are virtually trapped, isolated from the main breeding population and vulnerable to demographic and genetic factors.
Further, due to increased land use and felling of their feeding and roosting trees by the local communities in these fragmented forests, a number of Golden langur troops now occupy unfamiliar areas. Such areas include private lands in fringe areas, which have planted fruit in gardens near the degraded forest areas resulting in strong human-Golden langur conflict. There are no systematic studies of Golden langurs in the fragmented forests of its whole range. The overwhelming emphasis is on maintaining the remaining populations wherever it is feasible. Given the greatly reduced distribution of Golden langurs both in Bhutan and India and the current trend of habitat destruction in India, it must be realized that even small local populations are valuable and should be protected wherever practicable, and not abandoned on the unproven hypothesis that genetic degeneration would set in and automatically eliminate them. Unless a comprehensive study of the population status, demography and pattern of threats is conducted, no specific recommendation and action plan can be standardized. The proposed study will concentrate on demographic as well as socio-ecological factors, identify site-specific conservation measures and initiate community interaction programs. The project will also assist the Assam Forest Department to draft a management plan for conservation.
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September 11, 2008
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