Publications by authors named "Noemie Bonnin"
Populations on the edge of a species' distribution may represent an important source of adaptive diversity, yet these populations tend to be more fragmented and are more likely to be geographically isolated. Lack of genetic exchanges between such populations, due to barriers to animal movement, can not only compromise adaptive potential but also lead to the fixation of deleterious alleles. The south-eastern edge of chimpanzee distribution is particularly fragmented, and conflicting hypotheses have been proposed about population connectivity and viability.
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- Species conservation relies on understanding animal distribution and population dynamics, with a focus on the endangered eastern chimpanzee in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem (GME) of Tanzania, where habitat loss threatens their survival.
- Declines in the chimpanzee population (2.41% annually) mirror broader vegetation losses in forests and woodlands, indicating a critical environmental issue impacting wildlife.
- The study used density surface modeling to project chimpanzee population densities, highlighting that despite forests covering only 6% of the area, they harbor a significant portion of the chimpanzee population, emphasizing the importance of protecting these habitats.