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Habitat use and movement of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in a degraded and human-modified forest landscape

Stark, Danica J. 2018. Habitat use and movement of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in a degraded and human-modified forest landscape. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
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Abstract

Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) are endemic to Borneo and live in habitats threatened by land clearance for agriculture, aquaculture and timber. This thesis examines the roles of structural and landscape characteristics on both short- and long-term habitat use through the first application of GPS tags to proboscis monkeys. In a comparison of four home range estimators, biased random bridges provided the best home range estimates given the GPS-collar dataset and landscape characteristics (Chapter 3). Differences in long-term ranging patterns of 10 individuals across a range of forest-block sizes and disturbance levels were examined, as well as daily and seasonal variation in movement and sleeping site selection. Using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) structural metrics of the forest, as well as landscape characteristics, forest with taller canopies, forests in close proximity to river edges were found to be of particular importance to proboscis monkeys, and plantation edges were avoided (Chapter 4). Changes in daily and monthly movements were associated with seasonal changes in rainfall and potential food availability. Movement patterns also changed near forest edges, with faster, more direct movements near agricultural boundaries. Less rainfall, higher temperatures and brighter moon phases correlated with selection of sleeping sites in the forest interior (Chapter 5). By understanding the ranging requirements of proboscis monkeys, drone and GPS collar data were combined to inform conservation policy (Chapter 6). This thesis provides the most in-depth examination of proboscis monkey ecology to date. They appeared more generalist in their home range use and structural habitat requirements than previously realised, suggesting a higher degree of versatility and resilience to habitat loss and degradation. This study provides increased understanding of potential consequences of human-mediated disturbances and can be used to assist in the protection of this charismatic species and the management of degraded landscapes.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Date Type: Acceptance
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Biosciences
Subjects: Q Science > QL Zoology
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 29 June 2018
Date of Acceptance: March 2018
Last Modified: 31 Mar 2021 13:56
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/112867

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