Infrastructure development in Africa and Asia is expanding at breakneck speed, largely in biodiversity-rich developing nations. The trend reflects governments' efforts to promote economic growth in response to increasing populations, rising consumption rates and persistent inequalities. Large-scale infrastructure development is regularly touted as a way to meet the growing demand for energy, transport and food – and as a key to poverty alleviation. In practice, however, road networks, hydropower dams and "development corridors" tend to have adverse effects on local populations, natural habitats and biodiversity. Such projects typically weaken the capacity of ecosystems to maintain ecological functions on which wildlife and human communities depend, particularly in the face of climate change.
Notes to readers
Acknowledgments
Apes overview
Part I. Infrastructure Development and Ape Conservation: Introduction
1. Towards more sustainable infrastructure: challenges and opportunities in ape range states of Africa and Asia
2. Impacts of infrastructure on apes, indigenous peoples and other local communities
3. Deforestation along roads: monitoring threats to ape habitat
4. Apes, protected areas and infrastructure in Africa
5. Roads, apes and biodiversity conservation: case studies from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Nigeria
6. Renewable energy and the conservation of apes and ape habitat
Part II. The Status and Welfare of Great Apes and Gibbons: Introduction
7. Mapping change in ape habitats: forest status, loss, protection and future risk
8. The status of captive apes
Annexes
Acronyms and abbreviations
Glossary
References
Index
The Arcus Foundation is a private grant-making foundation that advances social justice and conservation goals. The Arcus Foundation works globally and has offices in New York City, USA, and Cambridge, UK.