Predicted distribution and habitat loss for the endangered black-faced black spider monkey Ateles chamek in the Amazon

Rabelo, RM; Gonçalves, JR; Silva, FE; Rocha, DG; Canale, GR; Bernardo, CSS; Boubli, JP

Abstract

The rate of deforestation in the Amazon is increasing. Predictive models estimate that as a result of agricultural expansion 40% of these forests will be lost by 2050. As a consequence the habitat of forest-dwelling species such as the Endangered black-faced black spider monkey Ateles chamek is being lost, particularly along the arc of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. We used species distribution modelling to (1) define the distribution of this spider monkey, using environmental predictors, (2) calculate the area of this distribution covered by the protected area network, and (3) calculate the expected loss of the species’ habitat under future scenarios of deforestation. We found that the species occupies only c. 28% of its extent of occurrence. Only 32% of the species’ area of occupancy is legally protected, and the modelling suggests that 31–40% of the species’ habitat will be lost by 2050. We highlight three unprotected regions with extensive forest cover that are predicted to become severely deforested by 2050 as priority regions for expanding the protected area network. We also propose landscape management and restoration in three human-modified regions. Our study provides an example of how species distribution modelling can be applied to assess threats to species and support decision makers in implementing conservation actions.

Citation

Rabelo, R., Gonçalves, J., Silva, F., Rocha, D., Canale, G., Bernardo, C., & Boubli, J. (2020). Predicted distribution and habitat loss for the endangered black-faced black spider monkey Ateles chamek in the Amazon. Oryx, 54(5), 699-705. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000522

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 12, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Dec 18, 2018
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jan 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 3, 2021
• Journal: Oryx
• Print ISSN: 0030-6053
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-3008
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 699-705
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000522
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000522
• Related Public URLs: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx
• Additional Information: Access Information : This article has been published in a revised form in Oryx, http://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000522. This version is published under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND. No commercial re-distribution or re-use allowed. Derivative works cannot be distributed. © copyright holder; Funders : Student Conference on Conservation Science Miriam Rothschild Travel Bursary Programme;National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq);CAPES/Doutorado Pleno no Exterior; Grant Number: 313108/2016-1 142352/2017-9; Grant Number: 88881.128140