The Bonobo Pan paniscus (Mammalia: Primates: Hominidae) nesting patterns and forest canopy layers in the Lake Tumba forests and Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Research reveals a strong correlation between bonobo nesting patterns and specific forest structures within Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. Bonobos preferentially nest in mixed mature forests with closed understories, where leaf-covered areas (LCA) at mid-storey elevations (4–16 m) are significantly higher compared to non-nesting sites. This preference is not observed in open or secondary forest types. The study systematically analyzed 134 transects, measuring canopy cover, structure, tree densities, and basal areas, while calculating LCA for seven forest types. Notably, nesting sites exhibited greater mid-storey leaf cover (55–55%) than non-nesting sites (39–42%), suggesting that bonobos favor habitats with complex vertical stratification. These findings highlight the importance of closed-canopy, mature forests in bonobo habitat selection and conservation efforts.

Inogwabini, B.-I. (2015). The Bonobo Pan paniscus (Mammalia: Primates: Hominidae) nesting patterns and forest canopy layers in the Lake Tumba forests and Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 7(12), 7853–7861. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.o4217.7853-61