Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas

Population size and geographical range are the key quantitative criteria used by the IUCN to assess the conservation status of a species. However, such information is often incomplete and inconsistent, even for seemingly abundant species. To assess the population and conservation status of Indian pr...

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Main Authors: Shahid Hameed, Tawqir Bashir, Mohammad Niamat Ali, Munib Khanyari, Ajith Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2024-03-01
Series:Oryx
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605323000716/type/journal_article
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author Shahid Hameed
Tawqir Bashir
Mohammad Niamat Ali
Munib Khanyari
Ajith Kumar
author_facet Shahid Hameed
Tawqir Bashir
Mohammad Niamat Ali
Munib Khanyari
Ajith Kumar
author_sort Shahid Hameed
collection DOAJ
description Population size and geographical range are the key quantitative criteria used by the IUCN to assess the conservation status of a species. However, such information is often incomplete and inconsistent, even for seemingly abundant species. To assess the population and conservation status of Indian primates, we conducted a systematic review of recent research using the searching, appraisal, synthesis and analysis (SALSA) approach. We reviewed a total of 41 studies on Indian primates conducted during the last 2 decades (2000–2021) for information on various parameters that influence their conservation. We found that 20 out of a total of 26 primate species were evaluated for their population status, and the majority of these studies (71%) showed an overall declining population trend. Remarkably, all but one of the studies conducted exclusively within protected areas revealed declining population trends, whereas trends were more variable for primate populations in non-protected areas. Our data indicate that only 27% (n = 7) of Indian primate species have been surveyed or re-surveyed to assess their population status within the last 5 years. Although threats vary in time and space from species to species, 78% of the studies recorded natural system modifications including habitat loss and fragmentation among the main threats to the survival of Indian primates. Most studies on the population status of Indian primates have either been spatially limited or used outdated methods. We recommend that future studies adopt robust techniques to estimate populations and work across larger geographical scales to develop effective management strategies for the conservation of primates in India.
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spelling doaj.art-2cc703701d23447c83327b895c97869e2024-03-25T09:13:43ZengCambridge University PressOryx0030-60531365-30082024-03-015816717810.1017/S0030605323000716Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areasShahid Hameed0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9190-3472Tawqir Bashir1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5176-0657Mohammad Niamat Ali2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5128-9284Munib Khanyari3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4624-5073Ajith Kumar4Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, IndiaCentre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, IndiaCentre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, IndiaNature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, IndiaCentre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore, Karnataka, IndiaPopulation size and geographical range are the key quantitative criteria used by the IUCN to assess the conservation status of a species. However, such information is often incomplete and inconsistent, even for seemingly abundant species. To assess the population and conservation status of Indian primates, we conducted a systematic review of recent research using the searching, appraisal, synthesis and analysis (SALSA) approach. We reviewed a total of 41 studies on Indian primates conducted during the last 2 decades (2000–2021) for information on various parameters that influence their conservation. We found that 20 out of a total of 26 primate species were evaluated for their population status, and the majority of these studies (71%) showed an overall declining population trend. Remarkably, all but one of the studies conducted exclusively within protected areas revealed declining population trends, whereas trends were more variable for primate populations in non-protected areas. Our data indicate that only 27% (n = 7) of Indian primate species have been surveyed or re-surveyed to assess their population status within the last 5 years. Although threats vary in time and space from species to species, 78% of the studies recorded natural system modifications including habitat loss and fragmentation among the main threats to the survival of Indian primates. Most studies on the population status of Indian primates have either been spatially limited or used outdated methods. We recommend that future studies adopt robust techniques to estimate populations and work across larger geographical scales to develop effective management strategies for the conservation of primates in India.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605323000716/type/journal_articleConservationhabitat lossIndialiterature reviewpopulation trendprimates
spellingShingle Shahid Hameed
Tawqir Bashir
Mohammad Niamat Ali
Munib Khanyari
Ajith Kumar
Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas
Oryx
Conservation
habitat loss
India
literature review
population trend
primates
title Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas
title_full Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas
title_fullStr Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas
title_full_unstemmed Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas
title_short Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas
title_sort recent studies on indian primates show declining population trends even in protected areas
topic Conservation
habitat loss
India
literature review
population trend
primates
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0030605323000716/type/journal_article
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