Global assessment of primate vulnerability to extreme climatic events

Climate-change-driven alterations in the extent and intensity of extreme weather events may have catastrophic consequences for primate populations. Using a trait-based approach, we assessed the vulnerability of the world’s 607 primate taxa to effects of cyclones and droughts—two types of extreme climatic events that are expected to increase and/or intensify in the future. We found that 16% of primate taxa are vulnerable to cyclones, particularly taxa in Madagascar; 22% are vulnerable to droughts, mainly taxa in the Malaysia Peninsula, North Borneo, Sumatra and tropical moist forests of West Africa. These findings will help with prioritization of primate conservation efforts. They indicate a need for increased efforts to investigate the context-specific mechanisms underpinning primates’ vulnerability to extreme climatic events.