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Chimpanzees of Gombe: Spatial Analysis of Vegetation and Feeding Patterns
Track: Ecology and Conservation
Author(s): Lilian Pintea, Anne Pusey, Paul Bolstad, Marvin Bauer

Research and conservation efforts are in a rush to cope with increasing human threats and assure the future of the Great Ape, while using any opportunity to learn about their natural history. Made famous by Dr. Jane Goodall's discoveries on chimpanzees, Gombe National Park is the site of one of the longest animal behavior studies in the world. Since the park's establishment in 1968,vegetation has been gradually recovering inside the park. Change detection using 1972-2003 satellite data confirm that forest cover in the park has increased but with severe deforestation outside the protected area. Long-term behavior data suggest that chimpanzee feeding patterns have also changed. To identify the potential linkages, we used a GIS database developed at the Jane Goodall Institute's Center for Primate Studies, University of Minnesota. This paper will describe the use of Spatial, Geostatistical and 3D Analyst to better understand the chimpanzees of Gombe by analyzing and visualizing long-term chimpanzee-habitat relationships.

Lilian Pintea
The Jane Goodall Institute
Africa Programs
4245 N. Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA , VA 22203
US
Phone: 703-841-5346
Fax: 703-812-4975
E-mail: lpintea@tnc.org

Anne Pusey
University of Minnesota
The Jane Goodall Institute's Center for Primate Studies
100 Ecology
1987 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul , MN 55108
US
Phone: (612) 625-5727
E-mail: pusey001@tc.umn.edu

Paul Bolstad
University of Minnesota
Forest Resources
301h Green Hall
College of Natural Resources
St. Paul , MN 55108
US
Phone: (612) 624-6777
E-mail: pbolstad@umn.edu

Marvin Bauer
University of Minnesota
Forest Resources
220b Green Hall
College of Natural Resources
St. Paul , MN 55108
US
Phone: (612) 624-3703
E-mail: mbauer@umn.edu

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