Das Projekt "Effects of logging on six selected primate populations in Cameroon" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie, Pharmazie, Institut für Biologie, Arbeitsgruppe Humanbiologie und Anthropologie durchgeführt. A study on species composition, distribution and population density of cercopithecids in the Campo-Ma'an area, southwestern Cameroon, was undertaken from December 1997 until September 1999. The results were compared with densities estimated more than ten years ago, to determine the effects of human activities, such as logging and hunting, on cercopitecids. A total of 501.1 km of line transects was used for the census. Results from primary forest were compared with those from regenerating secondary forest and recently logged forest. Thirteen diurnal primate species were recorded in the Campo Forest, the greatest part of which is a logging concession area, including five endangered species (Gorilla g. gorilla, Pan troglodytes, Mandrillus sphinx, Colobus satanas, Cercocebus torquatus). C. nictitans (1.4 groups/km2), C. cephus (1.2 gr./km2), C. m. pogonias (0.8 gr./km2), C. torquatus (0.5 gr./km2) and M. sphinx (0.17 gr./km2) occurred at densities, that did not show a decline in numbers following logging operations. In the Ma'an Forest, which has not been logged yet, seven species were confirmed. The population densities of two guenons (C. nictitans and C. cephus) were estimated to be twice as high in the primary forest area as in the secondary forest of Campo. It is believed that these two guenons profit from the scarcity of other arboreal primates. C. torquatus has not yet been confirmed for the Ma'an primary forest. It is unclear, if the Ntem River may form a natural barrier for this species or not. The results indicate, that selective logging can be compatible with primate conservation. Nevertheless increased hunting activities following logging operations will have a negative long-term impact on primate populations in the Campo-Ma'an area, if no further, more effective conservation measures will regulate wildlife use in future.