Participatory Approaches to Primate Conservation: Insights from Agricultural Communities in Togo

Abstract

Protected areas in Togo are home to various primate species, whose habitats are progressively degraded by escalating human activities, leading to significant crop depredation. In response, affected communities often develop negative attitudes towards primates, posing challenges for their conservation require strategic approaches that facilitate coexistence. This study aims to analyze interactions between primates and local agricultural communities and explore the perceptions of primate habitats by these local communities. Data were acquired through surveys and a process of participatory habitat mapping, which were analyzed using QGIS and Microsoft Excel software. The research encompassed 26 communities located around six protected areas. Participatory mapping revealed the intricate dynamics of coexistence between primates and farming communities, illustrating that primates are responsible for substantial annual agricultural losses every year, particularly in areas adjacent to protected area boundaries. The study identified six descriptive spatial entities, namely, local ecosystems: rivers, roads, settlements, fields, protected areas and depredation zones that characterize the study areas. These findings emphasize the value of participatory mapping in natural resource management and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes for sustainable management of natural habitats.