Papers by Heather Peacock
American Journal of Primatology, Mar 23, 2020
Due to the impact of anthropogenic activities on forest extent and integrity across Madagascar, i... more Due to the impact of anthropogenic activities on forest extent and integrity across Madagascar, it is increasingly necessary to assess how endangered lemur populations inhabiting human-dominated forest fragments can effectively sustain themselves ecologically. Our research addresses this concern by exploring how the distribution patterns of a small population of crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus), occupying a degraded forest fragment at Oronjia Forest New Protected Area in northern Madagascar, are impacted by the availability of key ecological and anthropogenic factors. We hypothesize that the distribution of E. coronatus within the fragment is limited by the availability of critical ecological resources and conditions and the intensity of anthropogenic features and activities. To examine this, we used MaxEnt to develop a species distribution model using presence-only occurrence records and 10 independent background covariates detailing the site's ecological and anthropogenic aspects. The results indicate that the realized distribution patterns of E. coronatus within human-dominated forest fragments are strongly associated with sections of forest that contain sparsely and sporadically distributed resources, such as freshwater and continuous hardwood vegetation. We conclude that the distribution of E. coronatus at Oronjia is shaped by their need to maximize foraging opportunities in a degraded forest landscape where they are subject to both environmental and anthropogenic stressors.
COMMENTARY: LETTERS - BOOKS - POLICY FORUM - EDUCATION FORUM - PERSPECTIVES (edited by Jennifer S... more COMMENTARY: LETTERS - BOOKS - POLICY FORUM - EDUCATION FORUM - PERSPECTIVES (edited by Jennifer Sills).
The most threatened mammal group on Earth, Madagascar’s five endemic lemur families (lemurs are f... more The most threatened mammal group on Earth, Madagascar’s five endemic lemur families (lemurs are found nowhere else), represent more than 20% of the world’s primate species and 30% of family-level diversity. This combination of diversity and uniqueness is unmatched by any other country—remarkable considering that Madagascar is only 1.3 to 2.9% the size of the Neotropics, Africa, or Asia, the other three landmasses where nonhuman primates occur. But lemurs face extinction risks driven by human disturbance of forest habitats. We discuss these challenges and reasons for hope in light of site-specific, local actions proposed in an emergency conservation action plan
Protected areas (PAs) are a key aspect of biological conservation. In the past, PAs tended to be ... more Protected areas (PAs) are a key aspect of biological conservation. In the past, PAs tended to be selected opportunistically, which sometimes led to inefficient reserve systems. Systematic conservation planning (SCP) scientifically assigns areas for reserves to meet specified conservation targets. The effectiveness of the PA network in Madagascar for lemur conservation was evaluated using Marxan (SCP software). Species ranges were predicted usmg Maxent (species distribution modeling software). Range maps were compiled to produce diversity estimates and used to inform species target settings for Marxan. An optimal reserve solution was generated and compared with the existing network. There was an overlap of only 50% indicating that the existing network is inefficient. An alternative solution based on expanding the current PA network was also generated. Only 29% of lemurs are adequately represented by the existing network. Expansion of the PA network by 142% is necessary to meet all conservation targets.
Science, 2014
Community-based management, ecotourism, and researchers' presence are proposed to prevent lem... more Community-based management, ecotourism, and researchers' presence are proposed to prevent lemur extinctions.
Intellectual, Scientific, and Educational Influences on Sustainability Research, 2019
In theory, there is a strong, two-way relationship between sustainability research and public pol... more In theory, there is a strong, two-way relationship between sustainability research and public policy that functions in synchrony to identify, understand, and ultimately address ecological problems for the greater good of society. In reality, such a cooperative relationship is rarely found. Instead, researchers and policymakers face a suite of challenges that prevent effective communication and collaborative pursuits, prolonging the period required to address environmental issues. In this chapter, the authors apply a novel interdisciplinary approach to identify key barriers and solutions to translating research into policy. In doing so, the authors present two separate discussions focused on the natural and social sciences. The authors also review established research-to-policy frameworks to develop the new “cohesive” framework. By addressing key barriers between researchers and policymakers, society will be better able to respond to the various environmental stressors that it faces ...
American Journal of Primatology
Teaching Innovation Projects
Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is a field of study that investigates the development ... more Geographic Information Science (GIScience) is a field of study that investigates the development and use of theories, methods, technology, and data for understanding geographic processes, relationships, and patterns (Mark, 2003). Students in the discipline learn the conceptual and technical implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS; the analysis, storage, visualization, and management of geographic data). However, GIScience undergraduates often struggle to relate GIS theory to technical practice. In particular, students have difficulty mastering GIS tools and software and they are not well-equipped to determine the series of processes/tools required to complete geoprocessing tasks without prompts. GIScience courses commonly provide students with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to execute various GIS tools in order to solve example problems but students are eventually expected to perform the same or similar problem-solving tasks without detailed instructions. Th...
This is the Supplementary Material to our "Policy Forum" contribution, "Averting L... more This is the Supplementary Material to our "Policy Forum" contribution, "Averting Lemur Extinctions amid Madagascar's Political Crisis".
2) (see also http://tinyurl.com/LemurRL Workshop) and were projected to a custom projection for M... more 2) (see also http://tinyurl.com/LemurRL Workshop) and were projected to a custom projection for Madagascar, which was derived from WGS 84 UTM 38S, with the central meridian set to 47°. Land cover, which was obtained for 2000 and 2005 from Conservation International (13), was reprojected to the custom projection, and areas classified as cloud in 2005 were removed by assigning the class from 2000. Any remaining cloud was reclassed with the class of the adjacent cell using the "Nibble" tool. The land cover data set was reclassified as forest or nonforest and converted to vector (polygon). Because lemurs are forest-dependent, the IUCN species range maps-which represent the minimum convex polygons of the species' known extent of occurrence and, thus, often include unsuitable habitat-were clipped to the extent of remaining forest cover and converted to raster, which gives a better representation of where lemurs actually occur.
2) (see also http://tinyurl.com/LemurRL Workshop) and were projected to a custom projection for M... more 2) (see also http://tinyurl.com/LemurRL Workshop) and were projected to a custom projection for Madagascar, which was derived from WGS 84 UTM 38S, with the central meridian set to 47°. Land cover, which was obtained for 2000 and 2005 from Conservation International (13), was reprojected to the custom projection, and areas classified as cloud in 2005 were removed by assigning the class from 2000. Any remaining cloud was reclassed with the class of the adjacent cell using the "Nibble" tool. The land cover data set was reclassified as forest or nonforest and converted to vector (polygon). Because lemurs are forest-dependent, the IUCN species range maps-which represent the minimum convex polygons of the species' known extent of occurrence and, thus, often include unsuitable habitat-were clipped to the extent of remaining forest cover and converted to raster, which gives a better representation of where lemurs actually occur.
2) (see also http://tinyurl.com/LemurRL Workshop) and were projected to a custom projection for M... more 2) (see also http://tinyurl.com/LemurRL Workshop) and were projected to a custom projection for Madagascar, which was derived from WGS 84 UTM 38S, with the central meridian set to 47°. Land cover, which was obtained for 2000 and 2005 from Conservation International (13), was reprojected to the custom projection, and areas classified as cloud in 2005 were removed by assigning the class from 2000. Any remaining cloud was reclassed with the class of the adjacent cell using the "Nibble" tool. The land cover data set was reclassified as forest or nonforest and converted to vector (polygon). Because lemurs are forest-dependent, the IUCN species range maps-which represent the minimum convex polygons of the species' known extent of occurrence and, thus, often include unsuitable habitat-were clipped to the extent of remaining forest cover and converted to raster, which gives a better representation of where lemurs actually occur.
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Papers by Heather Peacock