Non-Human Primates in Gabon: Occurrence Hotspots, Habitat Dynamics, Protected-Area Performance, and Conservation Challenges

Gabon harbors one of Africa's richest assemblages of non-human primates (NHPs), yet integrated national-scale evidence on their conservation status remains limited. To inform conservation strategies, we conducted the first nationwide assessment integrating habitat dynamics, the geographic distribution of species, and the effectiveness of the protected-area network in the country. We harmonized 300 m land-cover maps (ESA CCI 1992; Copernicus 2022), compiled 481 georeferenced occurrences, and identified concentration areas using kernel density estimation and Getis-Ord Gi* analysis. We quantified land-cover transitions with a per-pixel transition matrix and assessed protected-area capture using Monte Carlo randomization. Ten fully protected species are confirmed, including <i>Gorilla gorilla</i> and <i>Pan troglodytes</i>. Occurrences concentrate mainly in the Ogooué-Ivindo and Haut-Ogooué Provinces; ~10% of the national territory lies above the 90th kernel density percentile (≈26,700 km²), and 1.5% of cells qualify as hotspots at the 99% threshold. Primate records are strongly associated with evergreen broadleaved forests (87.9% of points), which remained persistent from 1992 to 2022 (forest-to-forest = 223,476 km²; 98.13%) with a net decline (-2571.66 km²; -1.19%). Gross losses (4046.58 km²) were mainly attributable to agricultural conversion (68.63%; χ² = 31,525; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Over 90% of records fall in areas stable across 1992-2022. Protected areas (PAs) captured more occurrences (observed 40.1% vs. expected 18.47%; <i>p</i> < 0.001), yet gaps remain for some taxa (e.g., <i>Allochorocebus solatus</i>, 86% outside PAs). Overall, Gabon retains an extensive core of suitable habitat, but targeted action outside PAs and maintenance of landscape connectivity are needed to secure populations where agricultural expansion and fragmentation are intensifying.