Subspecies Of Chimpanzee Under Threat From Climate Change

New research suggests that by 2020, dramatic habitat loss caused by climate change will pose a serious threat to the earth’s population of its most endangered subspecies of chimps. The study goes on to add that man made climate change is likely to do more harm to the chimpanzee population than previously expected. The results of the study are indeed very troubling and we need to act fast if we are to do something about the decline.

The most endangered species of chimp

The most endangered subspecies of all chimpanzees in the world is the The Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti). It is estimated there are only 6,000 individuals left in the wild. Whilst it is well known that this species habitat is under threat from illegal hunting, agriculture and logging, there is very little research into the possible effects of climate change.

Very little is known about them

Paul Sesink Clee of Drexel University says that the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is one of the least studied subspecies of chimps. The most recent research is first time their habitat and population distribution has been studied in so much detail and the data collected has been used to predict how their habitats are likely to be affected by climate change.

“We were surprised to see that the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees living in the savanna-woodland habitat of central Cameroon are under the most immediate threat of climate change, and may completely lose their habitat within our lifetime,” said Mr. Clee.

The team undertook intense study

The team studying Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees in the wild is one of the few groups in the world doing so. The researchers mapped the chimp’s precise location by using sighting reports, evidence of activity such as tools, nests, hair and fecal samples collected for genetic evidence. The research provides some of the most detailed data on the distribution of two distinct populations of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. There is a population located in Central Cameroon, where there is convergence of three distinct habitats which produces a mosaic of forest-woodland-savanna (ecotone). There is a second population located in the mountainous rainforests of Western Cameroon.

Half the population extremely vulnerable

It is thought that the presence of such fragile mosaic ecosystems are extremely important in ensuring there is diversification and variation of species all around the world. Researchers have made predictions on how such habitats are likely to change under climate scenarios for the years 2020, 2050, and 2080. The researchers have predicted little change in the habitat of the mountainous rainforest dwelling chimps, however the first population which lives in an ecotone is expected to fall quite quickly under all scenarios by 2020, and by 2080 is expected to totally disappear in the worst case scenario. Approximately half of the 6,000 Nigeria Cameroon chimp population live in the ecotone habitat of Central Cameroon and according to the results this particular subspecies of chimpanzee is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change.