Poster Abstracts in Word 29oct - American Museum of Natural History

Conservation problem or question: We examined how edge effects impacted Propithecuscoquereli, an endangered lemur species, in Madagascar. Edge effects are the interactions ofnon-living and/or living conditions between two adjacent habitats separated by an abruptboundary. This research is important for lemurs in Madagascar where 90% of the forest hasbeen lost since the arrival of humans on the island.Research methods: We compared range size, activity, and feeding ecology in groups ofPropithecus coquereli living near a forest edge versus a forest interior over 14-months inAnkarafantsika National Park, NW Madagascar. We examined the depth of edge influenceand edge magnitude of abiotic and biotic variables in relation to the distribution of groups inthis area.Relevance to conservation: Only a few studies have examined the impact of edges onprimates. This study will highlight how habitat loss and edge effects can impact lemurbehaviour. If lemur behavioural ecology is influenced by the forest edge, then the amount ofedge that exists in a protected area must be taken into account when assessing parkmanagement and conservation strategies.DISCOVERING NEW YORK’S FORGOTTEN APPLE POLLINATORSMIA PARKCornell University, Department of EntomologyIthaca, New York USAPh.D. third yearmgp27@cornell.eduConservation problem or question: Future pollinator shortages are projected if globaldemand for pollination continues to increase while pollinator health and abundance continueto decline. Conserving sustainable pollination services requires agro-ecosystems bemanaged to protect wild pollinators. Too little is known about these “forgotten” pollinators,even for crops entirely dependent on insect pollination, like apple, to develop managementschemes that would protect their services.Research methods: In 2009 and 2010, New York apple orchards were net surveyed for beediversity and abundance. Effects of orchard size, honey bee rentals, spray regime and floralresources on bee diversity and abundance were tested. In 2010, per-visit effectiveness ofhoney bees and native Andrena were compared by recording number of pollen grainsdeposited each visit to a virgin flower.Relevance to conservation: Wild bees were abundant and diverse. Relative to honey bees,Andrena was an effective apple pollinator. A marginally significant size effect on wild beeabundance likely reflected the importance of natural habitat to sustain wild pollinationservices. This study supports the importance of wild bees in apple pollination and protectionof natural edge habitat for conserving wild pollination services.DISTRIBUTION AND PRIORITY AREAS FOR COLOMBIAN SPIDER MONKEYSALBA MORALESNew York University, Anthropology DepartmentNew York, New York USAPh.D. fourth yearamj285@nyu.eduConservation problem or question: Colombia harbours three species of spider monkeys.Extreme habitat loss and hunting pressure have resulted in IUCN classifications ofEndangered and Critically Endangered for these species. Knowledge of their distribution iscritical in order to establish conservation strategies and to prioritise further research. Imodelled the distribution of all three species to propose areas where conservation effortsshould be focused.