Mongabay · Climate & nature

Tech and Indigenous Knowledge Unite in Search for Tiny Amazon Monkey

Conservationists are partnering with Indigenous communities in Ecuador to locate the world's smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset, using a combination of traditional knowledge and passive acoustic monitoring technology.

The pygmy marmoset, a vulnerable species threatened by illegal pet trade and habitat loss, is difficult to monitor due to its small size and arboreal habits. Its presence is considered a key indicator of forest health, as populations decline in degraded areas.

A pilot project in the Siekoya Remolino community combines Siekopai Indigenous knowledge with passive acoustic monitoring. This approach aims to identify areas where the monkeys are likely to be found and add a new tool to the community's existing monitoring programs.

Passive acoustic monitoring involves collecting large amounts of audio data to detect species. This method is cost-effective for identifying multiple species within an ecosystem.

The initial phase involved community mapping based on Indigenous expertise to pinpoint potential marmoset locations. Microphones were deployed for 72 hours, but no pygmy marmoset sounds were detected.

Although the target species was not found, the audio recordings provided valuable data on other animal species present, helping to build detection models for future use and assess the area's biodiversity.

The search for the pygmy marmoset continues, with plans for longer-term fieldwork and continued reliance on community mapping. The ultimate goal is to locate this species as a reliable indicator of forest health.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.