Christie Johnson Session Proposal

Anthropogenic Impact on Lemur Conservation

Madagascar is known for being an ecological hotspot with nearly 70% of its plant and
animal species endemic to the island. Madagascar is isolated from the mainland Africa and has
diverse biomes from tropical rainforest to forests to deserts, which is optimal condition to
support a diverse ecosystem. Among these animals are the lemurs – a type of primate that are
found only in Madagascar. Lemurs make up 20% of the worlds primate population, and per
National Geographic, around 90% of lemurs are endangered or critically endangered. Not only
are lemurs symbolically important to many of the native peoples of Madagascar, but they are
also important to primate biologists around the world. The session I am proposing will include
discussion on anthropogenic impact on lemur conservation, and suggest actions to take to slow
down or better yet stop lemurs from becoming extinct.
The lemurs are important to both the locals and scientists from across the globe. To the
inhabitants of Madagascar, the lemur is a sacred animal. The people believe that their
ancestors reincarnate as a lemur, therefore killing or eating a lemur means you are
eating/killing your ancestors, and this is extremely taboo (Jones, 2008). Aside from the cultural
impact that lemurs have on the peoples, they also are important for the study of primate
biology. Lemurs and other primates provide us with an idea of our own human biology and
evolutionary tract, therefore studying lemurs can give us a unique perspective on our own
species.
The number one threat to lemurs are humans. Other than climate change, deforestation
and “slash and burn” agriculture have the most devastating effect on the lemurs and if
continued will cause most or all lemur species to be extinct in the next 50 years. Deforestation
and the slash and burn agriculture are the main impacts, with nearly 90% of the island’s natural
forest gone. Adding on the market for bushmeat – a delicacy food in other countries, and the
illegal pet trade and the results are devastating (Barrett, 2009).
Surveys of various lemur species and their habitats show significant decrease in viable
habitat since the 1980s. By using satellite imaging, researchers mapped various areas
throughout 15 years and this showed frightening change from 1985 to 2000. Not only is this
alarming for the island’s lemur population, but also for the many other endemic plant and
animal species. Destroying the forest is also destroying valuable species that we might not
understand yet (Sussman 2003). Studies have shown that the effects of deforestation and
hunting both separately and combined have an alarming decline in generations (Dunham 2007).
With the lemurs of Madagascar at serious risk at extinction, it is important that effort is
taken to conserve what little forest is left. There are many reserves on the island and many
places that are considered protected land; however, these are growing smaller each year. We
need to protect the unique biology and ecology of the island, and raise awareness about
deforestation and illegal trade. This session I propose will bring experts on these topics and can
bring people together to fight for the cause.
 Christie Johnson Session Proposal

Sources
Barrett, M. A., and J. Ratsimbazafy 2009. Luxury bushmeat trade threatens lemur
conservation. Nature 461.7263: 470-470.
Dunham, A. E., et al 2008. Evaluating effects of deforestation, hunting, and El Nino events
on a threatened lemur. Biological Conservation 141.1: 287-297.

Irwin, M. T., S. E. Johnson, and P. C. Wright 2005. The state of lemur conservation in south-
eastern Madagascar: population and habitat assessments for diurnal and cathemeral
lemurs using surveys, satellite imagery and GIS. Oryx 39.02: 204-218.

Lehman, S. M. 2006. Conservation biology of Malagasy Strepsirhines: a phylogenetic

approach. American journal of physical anthropology 130.2: 238-253.

Lehman, S. M., et al 2006. Ecological correlates to lemur community structure in southeast

Madagascar. International journal of primatology 27.4: 1023-1040.

Sauther, M. L., and F. P. Cuozzo 2009. The impact of fallback foods on wild ring‐tailed lemur
biology: a comparison of intact and anthropogenically disturbed habitats.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology 140.4: 671-686.

Sussman, R. W., et al 2003. A survey of the habitat of Lemur catta in southwestern and
southern Madagascar. Primate conservation 19.3257: 1631.
Tattersall I, F. P. Cuozzo in press. Systematics of the extant Malagasy lemurs (Order Primates).
In Revue des aires protégées de Madagascar/Review of the protected areas of
Madagascar, eds. S. M. Goodman & M J. Raherilalao. Association Vahatra & The
University of Chicago Press, Antananarivo & Chicago. 

Wright, P. C. 1999. Lemur traits and Madagascar ecology: coping with an island environment.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology 110.s 29: 31-72.

Wright, P. C. 2006. Considering climate change effects in lemur ecology and conservation.
Lemurs. Springer US. 385-401.
 Christie Johnson Session Proposal

Speakers
 Dr. Frank Cuozzo
Professor: Biological Anthropology at University of North Dakota.
frank.cuozzo@email.und.edu
Numerous publications on lemur ecology, co-developed outreach programs to teach
conservation to students in Madagascar, co-directed research teams in Madagascar
that includes different disciplines working together. Specializes in dental ecology,
and primate biology.
 Dr. Michelle Sauther
Professor: Biological Anthropology at University of Colorado Boulder
michelle.sauther@colorado.edu
Numerous publications on lemur ecology, co-developed outreach programs to teach
conservation to students in Madagascar, co-directed research teams in Madagascar
that includes different disciplines working together. Specializes in primate behavior
and biology.
 Dr. Ian Tattersall
Curator Emeritus, American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
iant@amnh.org
Specializes in primate biology and paleontology. Extensive work in Madagascar.
Research concentrated in ecology and systematics of lemurs. Multiple publications
on lemur ecology and species.
 Dr. Anne Yoder
Professor of Biology at Duke, North Carolina
Phone: (919) 660-7275
Specializes in using molecular phylogenetic techniques and geospatial analaysis in
her field work in Madagascar. Many publications on different species and
conservation in Madagascar.
 Dr. Jonah Ratsimbazafy 
Professor Biological Anthropology at University of Antananarivo
Specializes in lemur conservation and primate biology. Works and lives in
Madagascar, and can offer a unique perspective on the life and threat to the island.