Impacts of Industrial Agriculture on Ape Ecology

Agro-industrial landscapes represent a significant and increasing part of the ranges occupied by apes in Africa and Asia. The changes caused by the transformation of the natural habitat of apes have profound impacts on food availability, activity patterns, natural dispersal and ranging patterns, social systems, exposure to new pathogens and risks linked to close proximity with people and infrastructure development (specifically roads). Suitable habitat for gorillas across central Africa has declined by approximately 30–50 over the past two decades (Junker et al., 2012); this trend is likely to continue as various types of development expand in Africa. Indeed, approximately 43 of the area where African apes currently CHAPTER 6