Does Conservation Need or Want Habitat Suitability Research?

Abstract

Over the past few years we have concentrated research efforts, as part of LEAP - the Landscape Ecology and Primatology Programme - on understanding how animals’ habitat requirements shape their distribution patterns, and how climate and landscape changes will influence their future distributions and survival. Much of the work shows how species will struggle in the future and shows the areas that remain suitable for these species. However, we remain sceptical about how much of this information will be used effectively to support the conservation of these species. In so many cases, primate conservation actions are focused on saving the animals and their habitats on the ground through forest protection and anti-poaching activities. In this short discussion-based presentation we will address the question: With such urgent actions needed on the ground to conserve species, is there really a place for the use of science that predicts long-term effects and future distributions? We will show examples of situations in which long-term planning effectively uses scientific studies on distribution patterns and examples in which we feel there is no use for long-term projection studies in ensuring species-conservation. This presentation is aimed at promoting discussion on this general subject in order to find ways to improve how long-term planning is used effectively in conservation strategies.