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Investigating How Ecology and Demography Influence Folivorous Primate Biomass in the Western Amazon

Abigail’s dissertation research examined the interrelationships between ecology, demography and behavior in order to address the question of which factors most greatly influence the density in two populations of howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) occurring at different densities in different forest types at Yasuní National Park, Ecuador. She conducted her field work in Western Amazonia from 2003-2005 at the Proyecto Primates Research Area and the Tiputini Biodiversity Station. Her project included aspects such as ecological sampling of terra firme and seasonally flooded forests, establishing transects to collect and provide the first population density estimates of the primate community in Yasuní and leading the Waorani Community Project.

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A Population Density Survey of the Lemurs of Marojejy National Park, Madagascar

In the summer of 2007 silky sifaka expert Erik Patel led a team of scientists into the northern region of Marojejy National Park, to conduct a population density survey of the lemurs in this area. Prior to the onset of the project densities were not available for any of Marojejy’s lemurs, including the critically endangered silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus). Abigail was part of this team, leading transect location/establishment and training the participants in population density line transect survey methodology.