Long-term research sites as refugia for threatened and over-harvested species

Long-term research sites within protected areas can serve as critical refugia for threatened and over-harvested species, according to a study conducted in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. The research found significantly higher encounter rates of primates and duikers, including the endangered red colobus monkey (Procolobus badius), within the park's long-term research area compared to adjacent regions. This pattern was mirrored by a reduction in poaching signs toward and inside the research area, supported by park-wide data. The study employed wildlife surveys along 225 km of line transects, demonstrating that even simple analytical approaches can effectively bridge conservation theory and practice. It underscores the importance of integrating long-term research sites into protected area management to enhance biodiversity conservation.

Campbell, G., Kuehl, H., Diarrassouba, A., N’Goran, P. K., & Boesch, C. (2011). Long-term research sites as refugia for threatened and over-harvested species. Biology Letters, 7(5), 723–726. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2011.0155