Use of modelling software and satellite imagery for the conservation of endangered species

 A new Duke University-led case study has demonstrated that habitat mapping software and satellite imagery can help conservationists predict the movements of endangered species in remote or inaccessible regions and pinpoint areas where conservation efforts should be prioritized. The scientists used Aster and Landsat satellite images showing the pace and extent of recent forest loss, and GeoHAT, a downloadable geospatial habitat assessment toolkit developed at Duke. The target species was Peru’s critically endangered San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe). With the help of these two tools the scientists were able to easily identify the 10 percent of remaining forest in the species’ range that presents the best opportunity for conservation. San Martin titi monkey was recently added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of the 25 most endangered primates in the world.

Danica Schaffer-Smith, a doctoral student at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, who led the study, said “Using these tools, we were able to work with a local conservation organization to rapidly pinpoint areas where reforestation and conservation have the best chance of success,” “Comprehensive on-the-ground assessments would have taken much more time and been cost-prohibitive given the inaccessibility of much of the terrain and the fragmented distribution and rare nature of this species.”

Details of the study appear in the latest issue of journalEnvironmental Conservation.