IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Lantschner, M.V. | |
| Efecto de las forestaciones sobre el uso de h bitat y la disponibilidad de recursos de mam¡feros carn¡voros nativos en el NO Patag¢nico | |
| 2005 Full Book | |
Pine plantations have increased in Patagonia during the last decades, and little is known about their impact on biodiversity, particularly on species with high habitat requirements. Camera-trap samplings were performed to study the habitat use of carnivore mammal species in forest-steppe ecotone vegetation compared to pine plantations and other landscape structures, such as firebreaks, remnants of native vegetation, and sparse plantations. To explain differences in use, the habitat was characterized at different spatial scales, and the abundance of trophic resources was determined. Four species were recorded: 1) Geoffroy's cat (_Leopardus geoffroyi_), was recorded in native vegetation, firebreaks and remnants of native vegetation, but not in plantations, this species was negatively correlated with tree cover and arboreal density, and positively with the abundance of European hare. 2) Culpeo fox (_Lycalopex culpaeus_) and 3) Hog-nosed Skunk (_Conepatus chinga_) were more abundant in native vegetation than in pine plantations, while in afforested landscapes this species were more abundant in sparse plantations and firebreaks. Both species were positively associated with native vegetation cover, while Culpeo fox was also positively associated with European hare abundance and herbaceous richness. 4) Cougar (_Puma concolor_) was detected in all habitat types and did not exhibit any preference, although this species was positively associated with the abundance of wild boar and the amount of area with pine plantations at the landscape scale. In conclusion, plantations trigger changes at different trophic levels of the community, affecting native preys and favoring exotic ones, which impact differently on carnivore species. Although most species are affected to some extent, the results indicate that through management practices and landscape design it is possible to significantly improve the quality of habitat, and make forestry compatible with wildlife conservation. |
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