Mammals of an agricultural landscape of oil palm in the floodplains of the Orocué River, Casanare, Colombia

The llanos region in eastern Colombia exhibits great biodiversity, and is being threatened by agro-industrial processes such as oil palm plantations. However, information about the mammals associated with these landscapes is very limited. We measured richness and capture frequencies of medium and large sized mammals using camera traps in an oil palm plantation and surrounding natural ecosystems, in the seasonally flooded savannas of the Department of Casanare, Colombia. We identify 16 medium to large mammals, and two species of mice, with a survey effort of 3937 camera/days. Capture frequencies varied according to the land cover type. All species were present in the gallery (riparian) forest. Nine species were also detected inside the oil palm plantation and six in savannas. The mammals we found in the plantation were mainly mesopredators and generalist species, while the mammals detected in forest have more restricted diets. We discuss the importance of the gallery forests and artificial lagoons as landscape tools that could enhance diversity in these agro-ecosystems

Mamíferos de un agropaisaje de palma de aceite en las sabanas inundables de Orocué, Casanare, Colombia

The llanos region in eastern Colombia exhibits great biodiversity, and is being threatened by agro-industrial processes such as oil palm plantations. However, information about the mammals associated with these landscapes is very limited. We measured richness and capture frequencies of medium and large sized mammals using camera traps in an oil palm plantation and surrounding natural ecosystems, in the seasonally flooded savannas of the Department of Casanare, Colombia. We identify 16 medium to large mammals, and two species of mice, with a survey effort of 3937 camera/days. Capture frequencies varied according to the land cover type. All species were present in the gallery (riparian) forest. Nine species were also detected inside the oil palm plantation and six in savannas. The mammals we found in the plantation were mainly mesopredators and generalist species, while the mammals detected in forest have more restricted diets. We discuss the importance of the gallery forests and artificial lagoons as landscape tools that could enhance diversity in these agro-ecosystems.La región de los Llanos, al oriente de Colombia, alberga una gran biodiversidad, pero al mismo tiempo está siendo blanco de fuertes procesos agroindustriales como el de la palma de aceite. Sin embargo, el conocimiento relacionado con la biodiversidad asociada a estos cultivos y su posible repercusión sobre la fauna silvestre nativa es mínimo. Por medio de fototrampeo se determinó la riqueza y frecuencia de captura de los mamíferos medianos y grandes asociados a una plantación de palma de aceite y sus ecosistemas naturales circundantes, en las sabanas inundables del departamento de Casanare, Colombia. Con un esfuerzo de muestreo de 3937 días/cámara se detectaron 16 especies de mamíferos medianos y grandes, y dos especies de ratones, cuyas frecuencias de captura variaron según el tipo de cobertura. Todas las especies estuvieron presentes en el bosque de galería; nueve de ellas estuvieron asociadas a palma y seis a sabana. Los mamíferos encontrados en la plantación fueron principalmente especies de mesodepredadores y generalistas, mientras que los de interior de bosque tienen dietas más restringidas. Se discute la importancia de los bosques de galería y las lagunas artificiales como herramientas de paisaje que mejorarían la diversidad en este tipo de agroecosistemas

Medidas y acciones para el mejoramiento de la movilidad en el municipio de Santa Rosa de Cabal. Risaralda

CD-T 307.2 A47; 80 pDiagnóstico de las condiciones de movilidad del municipio Santa Rosa de Cabal -- Principales situaciones y eventos que afectan la movilidad -- Debilidades, oportunidades, fortalezas y amenazas a partir de una matriz comparativa DOFA desde la cual se proponen opciones para el mejoramiento de la movilidad de Santa Rosa de Cabal.Universidad Libre Seccional Pereir

Habitat modification destabilizes spatial associations and persistence of Neotropical carnivores.

Spatial relationships between sympatric species underpin biotic interactions, structure ecological communities, and maintain ecosystem health. However, the resilience of interspecific spatial associations to human habitat modification remains largely unknown, particularly in tropical regions where anthropogenic impacts are often greatest. We applied multi-state multi-species occurrence models to camera trap data across nine tropical landscapes in Colombia to understand how prominent threats to forest ecosystems influence Neotropical carnivore occurrence and interspecific spatial associations, with implications for biotic interactions. We show that carnivore occurrence represents a delicate balance between local environmental conditions and interspecific interactions that can be compromised in areas of extensive habitat modification. The stability of carnivore spatial associations depends on forest cover to mediate antagonistic encounters with apex predators and structurally intact forests to facilitate coexistence between competing mesocarnivores. Notably, we demonstrate that jaguars play an irreplaceable role in spatially structuring mesocarnivore communities, providing novel evidence on their role as keystone species. With increasing global change, conserving both the extent and quality of tropical forests is imperative to support carnivores and preserve the spatial associations that underpin ecosystem stability and resilience. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tourism‑supported working lands sustain a growing jaguar population in the Colombian Llanos

Understanding large carnivore demography on human-dominated lands is a priority to inform conservation strategies, yet few studies examine long-term trends. Jaguars (Panthera onca) are one such species whose population trends and survival rates remain unknown across working lands. We integrated nine years of camera trap data and tourist photos to estimate jaguar density, survival, abundance, and probability of tourist sightings on a working ranch and tourism destination in Colombia. We found that abundance increased from five individuals in 2014 to 28 in 2022, and density increased from 1.88 ± 0.87 per 100 km2 in 2014 to 3.80 ± 1.08 jaguars per 100 km2 in 2022. The probability of a tourist viewing a jaguar increased from 0% in 2014 to 40% in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic. Our results are the first robust estimates of jaguar survival and abundance on working lands. Our findings highlight the importance of productive lands for jaguar conservation and suggest that a tourism destination and working ranch can host an abundant population of jaguars when accompanied by conservation agreements and conflict interventions. Our analytical model that combines conventional data collection with tourist sightings can be applied to other species that are observed during tourism activities. Entender los patrones demográficos de los grandes carnívoros al interior de paisajes antrópicos es fundamental para el diseño de estrategias de conservación efectivas. En el Neotrópico, el jaguar (Panthera onca) es una de estas especies cuyas tendencias poblacionales y tasas de supervivencia en paisajes productivos son desconocidas. Para entender mejor estas dinámicas, integramos nueve años de fototrampeo junto a fotos de turistas para estimar la densidad, supervivencia, abundancia y probabilidad de avistamiento de esta especie en una finca ganadera y destino turístico en Colombia. Entre 2014 y 2022 encontramos que la abundancia incrementó de cinco a 28 individuos y la densidad de 1.88 ± 0.87 jaguares/ 100 km2 a 3.80 ± 1.08 jaguares/ 100 km2. La probabilidad de avistamiento por turistas aumentó de 0% en 2014 a 40% en 2020 antes de la pandemia del Covid-19. Nuestros resultados presentan las primeras estimaciones robustas de abundancia y supervivencia de este felino en paisajes antrópicos dónde el manejo de sistemas productivos combinados con turismo e intervenciones para la mitigación del conflicto puede albergar poblaciones abundantes de jaguares, demostrando su importancia para la conservación de esta especie. Nuestro modelo, al combinar datos convencionales con avistamientos, podría ser aplicado a otras especies observadas durante actividades turísticas. Supplemental files attached below

Las carreteras al mar: estudio sobre el impacto de los vertebrados silvestres y los ecosistemas circundantes en dos corredores viales de Colombia

Road construction in or near natural areas has been identified as a major cause of habitat loss and fragmentation worldwide. In the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, two road corridors in different stages of development run from the city of Cali to the Buenaventura seaport. A research project was developed in two phases to evaluate and quantify the impacts these roads have on the wild fauna populations in the area: corridor modeling and field validation. Interactions between wildlife populations and these road corridors were evaluated and quantified by modelling the corridors with information from geographic information systems (GIS) supported by field data on drainage structures, road traffic jams and photo-trapping records. Four priority crossing areas were identified for nine mammal species. After evaluating 738 road structures, 19 species were recorded using these road structures and 38 species were run over on both roads. These roads differ in structures and layouts, however, their problems are shared, such as the lack of pre-existing road structures suitable for the passage of fauna, their use as a refuge and the poorly structured development on their periphery are the causes of the barrier effect that limits connectivity and gene flow of animals in this area.La construcción de carreteras al interior o en proximidad de áreas naturales ha sido identificada como una de las principales causas de perdida y fragmentación del hábitat en todo el mundo. En el departamento del Valle del Cauca, Colombia, dos corredores viales, en distintas etapas de desarrollo, comunican a la ciudad de Cali con el puerto de Buenaventura. Para evaluar y cuantificar los impactos que tienen estas carreteras en las poblaciones silvestres de fauna de la zona se desarrolló un proyecto de investigación en dos fases: modelación de corredores y validación en campo. Las interacciones entre las poblaciones de fauna silvestre y estos corredores viales fueron evaluadas y cuantificadas a partir del modelamiento de corredores con información proveniente de los sistemas de información geográfica (SIG) respaldados por datos tomados en campo sobre estructuras de drenaje, atropellamientos y registros de fototrampeo. Se identificaron cuatro zonas prioritarias de cruce para nueve especies de mamíferos. Tras evaluar 738 estructuras viales, se registraron 19 especies utilizando estas estructuras y 38 especies fueron atropelladas en ambas carreteras. Dichas vías difieren en estructuras y trazados, sin embargo, comparten sus problemáticas como la falta de estructuras viales preexistentes adecuadas para el paso de fauna, su uso como refugio y el desarrollo poco estructurado en su periferia son las causas del efecto de barrera que limita la conectividad y flujo génico de animales en esta zona

Inventario de mamíferos no voladores en remanentes de bosque seco tropical en el valle del río Cauca, Cartago, Colombia

The study of the local diversity of mammals in the TDF is important, due to the cultural value they have for local communities as a source of food and medicine. In addition, the information on these assemblies is useful for the management of the tropical dry forest, one of the most threatened ecosystems in Colombia whose remnants constitute important shelters for fauna. The objective of this work was to characterize the non-flying medium mammals of the “Hernán Victoria Mena Tropical Dry Forest”, Cartago municipality (Valle del Cauca). The fieldwork was carried out during 9 days in two phases, using techniques for direct and indirect detection (camera trapping, foot print traps, transects and interviews). A total of 130 records corresponding to 19 mammal species were accumulated. Some are cited on the IUCN Red List and Red Book: Lontra longicaudis, Aotus lemurinus, and Cabassous centralis. The results presented in this document will be used as a baseline to implement management initiatives by the owners of the property.El estudio de la diversidad local de los mamíferos en el bosque seco tropical (BST) es importante, debido al valor cultural que tienen para las comunidades locales como fuente de alimento y medicina. Además, la información sobre estos ensamblajes es útil para el manejo del BST, uno de los ecosistemas más amenazados de Colombia cuyos remanentes constituyen importantes albergues para la fauna. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar los mamíferos medianos no voladores del “Bosque seco tropical Hernán Victoria Mena”, municipio de Cartago (Valle del Cauca). El trabajo de campo se desarrolló durante 9 días en dos fases, empleando técnicas para la detección directa e indirecta (fototrampeo, trampas de huellas, recorridos libres y entrevistas). Se acumularon 130 registros correspondientes a 19 especies de mamíferos. Algunas están citadas en la lista roja de la IUCN y el libro rojo: Lontra longicaudis, Aotus lemurinus y Cabassous centralis. Los resultados presentados en este documento serán utilizados como línea base para implementar iniciativas de manejo por parte de los propietarios del predio

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Reflecting on the role of human‐felid conflict and local use in big cat trade

Illegal trade in big cat (Panthera spp.) body parts is a prominent topic in scientific and public discourses concerning wildlife conservation. While illegal trade is generally acknowledged as a threat to big cat species, we suggest that two enabling factors have, to date, been under‐considered. To that end, we discuss the roles of human‐felid conflict, and “local” use in illegal trade in big cat body parts. Drawing examples from across species and regions, we look at generalities, contextual subtleties, ambiguities, and definitional complexities. We caution against underestimating the extent of “local” use of big cats and highlight the potential of conflict killings to supply body parts