HABITAT UTILIZATION OF CHIMPANZEES IN MOUNT CAMEROON NATIONAL PARK, WEST COAST CLUSTER

Abstract This study assessed the habitat utilization of chimpanzees in Mount Cameroon National Park (West Coast Cluster), focusing on vegetation structure, nesting ecology, and ecological drivers across montane, sub-montane, and lowland forests. A cross-sectional field survey design was employed, integrating vegetation sampling, nest measurements, indirect signs, and spatial modelling. Results revealed significant variation in vegetation composition and diversity across habitats. The sub-montane forest exhibited the highest species diversity and evenness (Shannon index H’ = 2.68; Evenness E = 0.99; Simpson index = 0.919), followed by the lowland forest (H’ = 2.35; E = 0.98; Simpson = 0.888), while the montane forest showed lower diversity but higher abundance (H’ = 2.08; E = 0.90; Simpson = 0.895). Nest distribution varied markedly across habitats, with the montane forest recording the highest nest abundance (N = 135), followed by the sub-montane (N = 70) and lowland forests (N = 20), indicating a clear altitudinal preference for nesting. Despite differences in vegetation structure, nest characteristics were relatively consistent across habitats, with mean nest heights ranging from 11.53 ± 2.10 m to 11.68 ± 1.85 m, canopy cover averaging 68.37–70.62%, and tree diameter (DBH) ranging from 65.77 ± 24.42 cm to 67.56 ± 28.28 cm. Indicators of habitat utilization showed contrasting patterns: montane forests had low activity signs (vocalizations: 4.4%; footprints: 11.9%), whereas sub-montane (vocalizations: 47.1%; footprints: 37.1%) and lowland forests (vocalizations: 55.0%; footprints: 45.0%) exhibited higher levels of chimpanzee activity. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) analysis revealed that ecological variables influenced nesting behavior differently across habitats. In the montane forest, canopy cover had a significant effect on nest height (Omnibus χ² = 4.471, p = 0.034; Wald χ² = 4.546, p = 0.033), with a negative relationship (B = –0.018), indicating that increased canopy density led to slightly lower nest placement. However, no significant effects were observed in the sub-montane (χ² = 0.095, p = 0.758) or lowland forests (χ² = 0.089, p = 0.765), suggesting greater behavioral flexibility in these habitats. Model fit statistics further showed that the sub-montane forest provided the best explanatory model (Deviance/df = 2.71; AIC = 276.29), compared to montane (Deviance/df = 3.32; AIC = 549.15) and lowland forests (Deviance/df = 4.65; AIC = 87.00). Spatial modelling using MaxEnt indicated that habitat suitability ranged from 0 to 1, with no habitat reaching optimal suitability. Suitability was highest in sub-montane and montane zones, influenced by lower temperatures and higher precipitation, highlighting the importance of climatic factors in shaping chimpanzee distribution. Overall, the findings demonstrate that chimpanzees in Mount Cameroon National Park exhibit adaptive habitat utilization, preferentially nesting in montane forests while actively utilizing sub-montane and lowland forests for foraging and movement. Habitat use is strongly influenced by vegetation diversity, canopy structure, and climatic conditions, reflecting ecological flexibility across elevation gradients.