Primates Can Be a Rallying Symbol to Promote Tropical Forest Restoration

Background:

In the face of increasing threats such as deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change, the authors aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential of primates as a rallying symbol for promoting tropical forest restoration, taking into account the interactions between primates, their habitats, and human communities.

Goals:

The authors aim to:

• Study the potential importance of primates as flagship species for restoration efforts.
• Review the responses of primate populations to both passive (natural forest recovery) and active restoration efforts (tree planting) and identify gaps in current knowledge.
• Offer a global perspective on primate restoration ecology and provide specific recommendations for critical steps needed to recover endangered primate populations.

Takeaway:

The authors emphasize the urgent need to address the conservation of primates and their habitats, given the increasing threats of deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change. They highlight the critical role of primates as indicators of ecosystem health and the need for standardized methods to assess primate populations and their habitats. In addition, this paper underscores the importance of involving local communities in conservation efforts and the challenges and recommendations associated with training and capacity building in tropical countries.