Cohabiting primates: the impact of human activities in a semi-arid habitat of Cerrado/Caatinga inhabited by human and non-human primates

Abstract

The degradation and fragmentation of the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes cause the loss of biodiversity and a consequent decrease on the living conditions of human and non-human primates. In some regions of Brazil, especially where the risk of desertification is high, as in the semiarid Northeast, the impact of human activities, such as livestock and the extensive monoculture, constantly threaten the preservation of these very important biomes. This study aims to analyze the human impact throughout the last 20 years in a rural area in the city of Gilbués (Piauí state). In this particular region, the wild population of Sapajus libidinosus habitually uses stone tools to open encapsulated fruit, a recent discovery that has many implications on the comprehension of the human evolution. Through the classification of satellite images we want to evaluate the impact of human activities, especially the agricultural activities. The results of this project are targeted to indicate and measure the main factors that influence the degradation processes that impact the northeast semiarid. The fellow involved in this scientific initiation will actively participate on the project by collecting data, analyzing satellite images through specific software's, creating maps and presenting the results on reports and congress panels.