Integrating Technology, Microplastics and Community Monitoring for Primate Conservation

Chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau are Critically Endangered, yet their population size, distribution, and long-term viability remain poorly resolved due to outdated monitoring frameworks and limited national coverage. Concurrently, microplastic pollution is increasingly pervasive across tropical ecosystems, posing poorly understood risks to wildlife and human health. This research forms part of the CRISP Research Group’s broader primate conservation programme, integrating environmental DNA (eDNA), passive acoustic monitoring, AI-assisted camera trapping, and microplastic sampling with community-led approaches to reassess chimpanzee status and environmental health, generating policy-relevant evidence to inform conservation and pollution mitigation strategies.

Research developments

As part of the CRISP Research Group, this project is developing the first multi-method detectability framework for chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau, combining conventional surveys (line transects and nest counts) with emerging technologies including eDNA, passive acoustic monitoring, camera traps, and AI-enabled image classification. In parallel, it pioneers the integration of microplastic exposure assessment into primate monitoring through analysis of faecal and environmental samples. By triangulating detection probabilities with pollution indicators, the project will generate holistic population and ecosystem health assessments. Field implementation is co-designed with government agencies, NGOs, and communities to ensure relevance and sustainability. Spatial models will map habitat suitability and microplastic risk under alternative land-use and climate scenarios, strengthening community-led monitoring networks.

Research impacts

This research directly contributes to three priority strategies in the Regional Action Plan for Western Chimpanzees (2020–2030): Strategy 1 - establishing best practices for chimpanzee monitoring and microplastic mitigation; Strategy - generating critical data to operationalise a One Health framework linking wildlife, environmental, and human health; and Strategy - strengthening public awareness and informing policy development. As a core component of the CRISP Research Group, the project delivers scalable tools, datasets, and partnerships that extend beyond Guinea-Bissau. By producing nationwide distribution estimates alongside baseline microplastic exposure evidence, it will inform conservation planning, pollution governance, and protected-area management. Capacity building will embed long-term monitoring and microplastic surveillance systems while positioning the project as a regional model for integrating pollution risk into great ape conservation.

Funders

Arcus Foundation, Western Chimpanzee Action Plan Regional Alliance, University of Derby.

Researchers

• Dr Joana Carvalho (University of Derby)
• Prof Mike Sweet (University of Derby)
• Dr Alessia Bani (University of Derby)
• Dr Mark Bulling (University of Derby)
• Callum Carpenter (PhD student, University of Derby)
• Louisa Watson (PhD student, University of Derby)
• Leigh Peters (PhD student, University of Derby)