Microclimate Buffering Across a 650 m Afro-Alpine Gradient: Thermoregulation at the Nest Level by Grauer’s Gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park create a consistent 2.0 °C thermal refuge within their night nests across a 650 m Afro-alpine gradient, mitigating the harsh nighttime temperatures that often drop below 5 °C at elevations above 2050 m. This study provides the first quantitative evidence that canopy density significantly reduces the elevation penalty for thermoregulation in African great apes, with thermal buffering decreasing by approximately 30% near the summit due to greater canopy openness and higher altitudes. Researchers analyzed 66 night nests using calibrated mercury thermometers and sky-facing photographs, revealing a mean temperature difference of 2.03 ± 0.37 °C between nest interiors and ambient air. The findings underscore the critical role of canopy retention in counteracting accelerated warming at high altitudes (+0.45 °C per decade), highlighting its importance for conservation strategies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Consolee, K. T., Kalonji, A., James, A., Luan, X., & Cong, L. (2026). Microclimate Buffering Across a 650 m Afro-Alpine Gradient: Thermoregulation at the Nest Level by Grauer’s Gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Forests, 17(2), 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/f17020254