1. Open‐access platform to synthesize knowledge of ape conservation across sites
- Author
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Emilien Terrade, Sorrel Jones, Virginie Vergnes, Isabel Ordaz-Németh, Annika Hillers, Maegan Fitzgerald, Annemarie Goedmakers, Clement Tweh, Tina Vogt, Hjalmar S. Kühl, Kimberley J. Hockings, Jessica Junker, Jenny Desmond, Dirck Byler, Dervla Dowd, Michael Kaiser, Elizabeth A. Williamson, Mona Estrella Bachmann, R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar, Fiona Maisels, Sergio Marrocoli, Marc Fourrier, Stefanie Heinicke, Erin G. Wessling, Susan M. Cheyne, Julia Riedel, Kathelijne Koops, Juan Lapuente, University of Zurich, and Heinicke, Stefanie
- Subjects
10207 Department of Anthropology ,Conservation of Natural Resources ,Pan troglodytes ,Evolution ,computer.software_genre ,West africa ,Critically endangered ,Behavior and Systematics ,Animals ,IUCN Red List ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Ecology ,300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology ,Information sharing ,Endangered Species ,Knowledge synthesis ,Data science ,Africa, Western ,1105 Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Geography ,Action plan ,Conservation status ,Animal Science and Zoology ,1103 Animal Science and Zoology ,computer ,Web scraping - Abstract
Despite the large body of literature on ape conservation, much of the data needed for evidence‐based conservation decision‐making is still not readily accessible and standardized, rendering cross‐site comparison difficult. To support knowledge synthesis and to complement the IUCN SSC Ape Populations, Environments and Surveys database, we created the A.P.E.S. Wiki (https://apeswiki.eva.mpg.de), an open‐access platform providing site‐level information on ape conservation status and context. The aim of this Wiki is to provide information and data about geographical ape locations, to curate information on individuals and organizations active in ape research and conservation, and to act as a tool to support collaboration between conservation practitioners, scientists, and other stakeholders. To illustrate the process and benefits of knowledge synthesis, we used the momentum of the update of the conservation action plan for western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) and began with this critically endangered taxon. First, we gathered information on 59 sites in West Africa from scientific publications, reports, and online sources. Information was compiled in a standardized format and can thus be summarized using a web scraping approach. We then asked experts working at those sites to review and complement the information (20 sites have been reviewed to date). We demonstrate the utility of the information available through the Wiki, for example, for studying species distribution. Importantly, as an open‐access platform and based on the well‐known wiki layout, the A.P.E.S. Wiki can contribute to direct and interactive information sharing and promote the efforts invested by the ape research and conservation community. The Section on Great Apes and the Section on Small Apes of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group will guide and support the expansion of the platform to all small and great ape taxa. Similar collaborative efforts can contribute to extending knowledge synthesis to all nonhuman primate species.
- Published
- 2020
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