Olivia Stone

My current research involves the biogeography and palaeobiogeography of the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) in southern Africa, using Geographic Information System (GIS) modelling. Currently, there is no accepted detailed description of the distribution of the chacma baboon. Although a number of baboon distributions have been published, they lack precision and are often contradictory. This is a problem as its conservation status is presently in a state of flux with anecdotal evidence indicating that many local populations have become extinct and others are in decline. Our research (Stone et al 2012) suggests that their distribution is largely restricted to marginal areas, making them highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance.

My scientific interests include primatology, anatomy, biogeography, GIS, biological anthropology and palaeobiogeography.