Question

1. Biologists have serious concerns about the wild populations of many primates (much less other species, too). Deforestation is still occurring at a rapid rate. Aside from the emotional tragedy of losing a species, what other disastrous consequences can arise from a decline in biodiversity among st primates? Think about this from a scientific perspective as well--what will WE lose if we lose them?

2. Provide at least three examples (material or nonmaterial) from studies of chimpanzees or other nonhuman primates species that fit the definition of culture outlined (i.e., learned behavior transmitted from individual to individual). Among the behaviors you identify, list those that are likely adaptations that help the primates species survive and any that are more likely differences in behavior occurring between two populations for no apparent (or at least adaptive) reason.

Answer 1

Answer 1)

Deforestation, the present time's most devastating thing happening to our planet with raising concerns which go much beyond than just emotional concerns of losing a few species.

due to the growing urbanisation and greedy human needs, we as humans have started taking the natural resources for granted without reallising how badly it is affecting the other species and environment in general. now lets talk in depth about the issue.

deforestation also known to be the opposite of forestation is the act of cutting down trees, this cuttting of the trees increseases the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment, the increased carbon dioxide is also responsible of raising the global temperature measure, therefore the climate changes are getting extreme.It is also responsible for the wildfires, melting of the snow caps and glaciers and increasing the pollution across areas. The trees , also helps in inducing rainfalls and due to the severe act of deforestation, the annual precipatation of the world has also reduced. The rivers therefore gets dried out directly causing harm and endangerment and extinction of many water species, we might feel that extinction of a few species is not going to affect us but that is not true, the truth of the nature is that we all live in a foodchain and dependent on each other for our survival, the animals are losing their natural habitat which endangers them and the animals which feed on other animals also gets affected and this process goes on and on. All these have a great impact on primates and primates frorm a very essential part of our livelihood as they perform vital roles like seed dispersal, pollination, they also contribute in forest regeneration . therefore the entire primate will eventually be lost through the amalgamation of habitat loss, degradation of the species, isolation of certain species in fragmented spaces, population decline by the constant hunting and trapping of animals and general hamper to the health of the living due to the selfish deeds of humans and the environmental pollution and neglect.

Answer 2)

well when it comes to cultural adaptations, its not just humans, but in order to face the hamper caused by humans to the environment, groups of animals have learn the art of cultural adaptation so as to survive better in the changed environment. This is also commonly known as the cultural evolution. eg there are certain group of animals who do cultural adaptatoon for their food aquisition so that they are less dependent on the humans for it by adapting newer foraging stratergies. eg) the recent introduction to oil palm nuts provided the opportunity to lomg tailed macquis to develop nut cracking behaviour from habitual hard shell cracking in the marine. some do these changes due to direct effect of humans while some nonhuman primates or NHP are the ones who have large bodies which are very slow at reproducing and hence for them behaviour or cultural change is the only way to respond quickly to the changes that happens in the environment.

There are some species that cope with human disturbances through genetic adaptation. while there are other species like chimpanzies or elephants who undergo behavioural adaptation to not come in the proximity of humans and the main cause is their habitat loss and fragmentations. while the above examples are the ones where humans are to blame while there are other adaptations which are not linked to humans like isolation of organism in a certain place to protect themselves against the predators.

This is all the information that i had i hope it comes of good use to you. Tried my best with the examples :)