Argentina’s primates under threat from agriculture
Gabriel E. Zunino and Martin M. Kowalewski
special to mongabay.com
June 9, 2008
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Five species of non-human primates inhabit in northern Argentina: black and gold howlers, brown howlers, black capuchins, brown-capped capuchins, and owl monkeys. Although two of these species are clearly endangered (brown howlers and owl monkeys), populations of all other species are disappearing due to anthropogenic changes of their habitats. Most of the forests where these species inhabit are under continuous alteration and degradation due to soy, rice, and forest plantations, and exotic pastures for livestock. Moreover, protected forests in Argentina are insufficient to protect these primates.
The Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples de Corrientes (EBCo) is an academic and research institution established in 2001, and its main goals are to ensure the protection of plant and animal species living in northern Argentina, and develop environmental education programs in the area. EBCO’s main research projects are related to the ecology and conservation of primates and their habitats in northern Argentina. EBCo also studies the ecosystem health aimed at identifying risk factors for disease transmission as a consequence of landscape change. In sum, EBCo’s conservation-oriented activities are aimed at improving the ability of conservationists and policy-makers regarding timber exploitation, wildlife conservation, and human health.
Gabriel E. Zunino and Martin M. Kowalewski (2008). Primate research and conservation in northern Argentina: the field station Corrientes (Estación Biológica de Usos Múltiples — EBCo). Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 1(2) :122-139, 2008