Lemurs as protectors of the forest: Red-collared brown lemur seed dispersal, forest regeneration, and local livelihoods in the littoral forest fragments of southeastern Madagascar

Protected areas are essential to conservation. They are expected to safeguard the wildlife and their habitat, so it is important to investigate their effects on species’ population and ecology. Creating a protected area can also affect local people. Positive effects can include the preservation of ecosystem services and eco-tourism, with job opportunities and increased infrastructure stemming from such socio-economic development. On the other hand, forest protection often restricts the use of natural resources, thus interfering with traditional livelihoods and local economics. These negative effects can lead to antagonistic attitudes towards the protected area, which can undermine conservation efforts. Understanding the implications of forest protection for the livelihoods local people, along with their attitudes towards, and acceptance or opposition of forest protection can help mitigate the risks of social conflict and support conservation success. In this study, I investigated how forest protection affected the ecology of red-collared brown lemurs (Eulemur collaris) in two littoral forests in southeastern Madagascar (Sainte Luce, Mandena). Since 1999, 14 behavioural studies have been conducted on this lemur species in these littoral forests, focusing on their diet, behaviour, activity pattern, and ranging. As protected areas were established in both Sainte Luce (in 2005) and Mandena (in 2002), I examined whether the previously observed differences have persisted. I also explored local ecological knowledge about this lemur, the impacts of forest protection on local livelihoods, and perceptions of forest protection and several stakeholders. I collected data between August 2017 and October 2018. To assess lemur diet and ranging, I collected data from three groups via focal animal instantaneous sampling (diurnally), and auditory group sampling (nocturnally). To examine the relationship between lemur presence and forest regeneration, I compared the numbers of seedlings and saplings in fragments in which this lemur was present and absent. To understand how forest protection affected local people, I surveyed 60 adults using a semi-structured interview. Similar to the results of previous studies, this study confirms that Eulemur collaris is frugivorous year-round. While Mandena lemurs were previously reported to have larger and more fragmented home ranges than the lemurs in Sainte Luce, in this study, Mandena lemurs’ home range was smaller and less fragmented. Lemurs consumed more fruit and showed higher dietary diversity in the wet season. Their defecation was related to their resting patterns. Fragments with Eulemur collaris regenerated more. Most participants had a positive attitude towards Eulemur collaris and did not hunt it. Plant species were used locally as timber, medicine and fuelwood. Eulemur collaris consumed 52 utilitarian species. Perceptions of tourism and the NGO were largely positive, while perceptions of mining and forest protection were mixed due to their negative impacts on traditional livelihoods. This study shows forest protection has impacted both lemurs and people. Emphasising their interdependence might benefit both, and help preserve traditional livelihoods. As 98 % of lemurs and 70 % of primates are threatened, monitoring how conservation measures affect them is important. The urgency to conserve biodiversity should be matched with the urgency to document and conserve the cultural heritage associated with it