Land-cover changes predict steep declines for the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii).

ABSTRACT: Positive news about Sumatran orangutans is rare. The species is critically endangered because of forest loss and poaching, and therefore, determining the impact of future land-use change on this species is important. To date, the total Sumatran orangutan population has been estimated at 6600 individuals. On the basis of new transect surveys, we estimate a population of 14,613 in 2015. This higher estimate is due to three factors. First, orangutans were found at higher elevations, elevations previously considered outside of their range and, consequently, not surveyed previously. Second, orangutans were found more widely distributed in logged forests. Third, orangutans were found in areas west of the Toba Lake that were not previously surveyed. This increase in numbers is therefore due to a

SUBMITTER: Wich SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4783118 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature