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Human-induced land-use change has resulted in substantial loss and degradation of habitat for forest-dwelling wildlife. The moor macaque Macaca maura, an Endangered primate endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been observed in a wide array of habitats, including heavily modified areas, but little is known about the quality of these habitats. Here we compared the habitat quality of two areas occupied by moor macaque populations: a previously human-modified karst forest now located within a national park and a heavily modified forest located in an unprotected area. We assessed habitat quality by measuring specific indicators of potential food availability derived from vegetation data and quantified the nutritional environment based on macronutrient analysis of fruit samples collected at the two sites. Although the species richness, diversity and overall stem density of macaque food trees were greater in the protected area forest, total basal area and mean diameter at breast height were greater in the heavily modified forest. Mean metabolizable energy concentrations of fruits eaten by macaques were similar between forests, as were the proportions of protein, lipids and total non-structural carbohydrates. These results provide further support for the notion that heavily modified habitats should not be overlooked for their potential conservation value. To further augment their value, conservation efforts should focus on forest restoration, specifically the planting of fast-growing species that are utilized by both wildlife and people.

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The study of nonhuman primates (hereafter primates) in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, and East Timor) is useful for continuing to understand human origins, in addition to attempting to conserve declining populations in diverse tropical landscapes. The history of primatology in this region is influenced by the development of the discipline in the West and Japan. However, the emergences of national and international projects, organizations, and publications that prioritize the practice of primatology in Southeast Asia have increased throughout the history of the field.