Abstract
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 |