How human primates interact with nonhuman primates in a semi-arid habitat of north-eastern Brazil. an ethnoprimatological approach to preserve cultural biodiversity in primates

Abstract

Uncontrolled fires, illegal logging and soil degradation are causing loss of biodiversity and consequent decreasing of living conditions for human and nonhuman primates. Poverty is widespread in some areas of Brazil, especially where environment is under high risk of desertification as in the North-East region. In the rural areas of the Piauí, where this research is carried out, the life of local community is based on subsistence economy. The ethnoprimatological approach is an innovative method to evaluate the impact of long-term field research in a cost-and-benefit framework and to build local awareness for promoting conservation biodiversity. Humans are part of the primates' ecosystem and monkeys interact with them in various ways, including crop-raiding. In order to conserve both human and monkey cultures' biodiversity, this study aims to understand the dynamics of human-primate interface in a semi-arid habitat where a population of wild Sapajus libidinosus routinely uses stone tools to crack encased foods, a finding that have important implications for understanding human evolution. Ecological and ethnographic methods will be performed to investigate human-primate interface. Understanding how humans perceive their natural resources will allow protecting both human and capuchin culture, and preventing conflicts between them. Effects of this project are addressed to improve the capacity of land-owners, and local residents to manage their lands as to allow the survival of natural wildlife. (AU)