Why are lemurs important to the ecosystem?

Lemurs are the most threatened group of mammals on earth, yet they provide priceless ecosystem services. From an ecological perspective, they help maintain Madagascar's forests and many plant species rely on lemurs for survival. A lot of lemur species love eating fruits, however, they cannot digest the seeds.23 Oct 2019

Why are lemurs important to the environment?

Among the world's most unique primates, lemurs play a vital role in Madagascar as seed dispersers for many plants and are essential for maintaining healthy and diverse forests on the island. Fruits make up a large part of many lemurs' diets, and the animals will often ingest whole seeds and then poop them out far from …

What will happen if lemurs go extinct?

An animal that could hold the key to life-threatening human diseases is on the verge of extinction, researchers say. Nearly all of the world's lemurs reside in Madagascar, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa.

Why are lemurs a keystone species?

These two particular species of lemurs play a crucial role in dispersing the seeds of a number of plant species that provide food and shelter for other animals across the rainforest. Ruffed lemurs are a keystone species whose survival is critical to the health and continuation of Madagascar's eastern rainforest.

How are lemurs being helped?

In response to the decline of lemurs across Madagascar, Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) has worked with the IUCN Save Our Species Lemurs fund, the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, and Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund to protect and secure lemur populations by supporting ecotourism, local …

Why are lemurs the best?

Protecting lemurs benefits the Malagasy people. The protection of lemurs also benefits the Malagasy people. For one, as seed dispersers, lemurs help forests grow, and many local people depend on forests for resources. And, tourists visiting Madagascar to see lemurs in the wild boosts the local economy.

Why are lemurs important in Madagascar?

Lemurs create and maintain Madagascar's forests because they pollinate plants and disperse seeds which help the forest grow.

Why are lemurs one of the most endangered animals on the planet?

Deforestation, illegal hunting and collection for the pet trade are pushing many species toward the brink of extinction. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that 95% of Madagascar's lemurs are now threatened, making them the world's most endangered mammals.

Why are lemurs endangered animals?

Due to rampant deforestation and hunting in their heartland of Madagascar, lemurs have it particularly bad: 103 of the world's 107 species of these animals are threatened by extinction. A growing lemur pet trade in the country has also emerged as a new pressure.

Are lemurs a keystone species?

Keystone: The lemurs of Madagascar are keystone species: they play a critical role in maintaining the structure of this tropical ecological community. Lemurs are known seed dispersers, pollinators and also help improve soil quality of the western forests.