Spatial Dynamics of Human-Primate Conflicts and Adaptive Coexistence Strategies in Togo: Contributions of Participatory Mapping and Community Perceptions

Résumé

The protected areas of Togo harbor a rich primate biodiversity that is increasingly threatened by agricultural expansion and mounting anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates the challenges of human–primate coexistence and explores pathways toward the sustainable management of natural resources, with a specific focus on crop depredation conflicts. Empirical data were collected through a combination of ethnoprimatological focus group interviews and participatory mapping exercises conducted with twenty-two (22) farming communities adjacent to five protected areas. Spatial analysis was performed using QGIS, and statistical analyses were conducted with Microsoft Excel and R software. The findings reveal that primates are perceived as major contributors to agricultural losses across all surveyed villages, with hotspots of intense crop depredation occurring in close proximity to protected area boundaries. Six recurrent landscape features were spatially delineated: watercourses, roads, human settlements, cultivated fields (particularly those subject to frequent raiding), protected areas, and buffer zones. Twelve primate species were reported by local communities, with Erythrocebus patas (23.18%) and Cercopithecus mona (19.05%) being the most frequently identified and considered the primary agents of crop damage. The severity of agricultural losses was significantly influenced by the maximum ranging distance of primates (coefficient = 0.00965, p < 0.001) and crop diversity (coefficient = -2.044, p < 0.001). A typology of three conflict-prone field categories was established: G1 = moderate losses near forest edges, G2 = high losses in immediate proximity to protected areas, and G3 = low losses at greater distances, often coupled with the implementation of various mitigation measures. Local strategies to reduce crop raiding included regular field monitoring (27.90%) and the use of scarecrows (27.20%), along with cultural and religious considerations that shape human–primate interactions. This study underscores the value of participatory mapping as a powerful tool for integrating local ecological knowledge and community perceptions into conservation planning. It offers critical insights for adaptive governance frameworks aimed at fostering peaceful and sustainable human–primate coexistence in Togo’s rural landscapes.