Orang-utan forest use                                                                                 

Influence of forest structure on the densities, distribution, behaviours and locomotion of orang-utans in Sumatra

 

Background Information

Globally primates are under threat with 48% of all taxa classified as Threatened by the IUCN. For science to effectively support conservation there is a strong need to gain a better understanding of how various levels of forest disturbance influence primate distribution, density and behaviour. John Abernethy's PhD project will use novel methods linking data provided from airborne photographs quantifying the three dimensional forest structure to data on distribution, density and behaviour of the critically endangered Sumatran orang-utan (Pongo abelii). 

The study is conducted at the Sikundur research site in the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra (Indonesia). Data on orang-utan behaviour and distribution are being collected within a collaboration between LJMU and the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP) and more detailed data will be collected by John.

 

Objectives;

The study will focus on understanding which aspects of forest structure are important for orang-utan habitat use (travel routes, sleeping site choice and behaviour). This will provide the groundwork for support of global conservation efforts by developing a new generation of predictive distribution models that incorporate behavioural flexibility and habitat use in relation to forest structure and climate variables. 

Lead - John Abernethy

 

Lead Institute - Liverpool John Moores University

 

Supervisor - Serge Wich

 

Co-Supervisor - Nicola Koyama

 

Co-Supervisor - Matt Nowak

 

External collaborator - Amanda Korstjens and Ross Hill

 

Funding - Liverpool John Moores University PhD studentship

 

Start date - September 2014