Abstract
Predator species are essential for ecosystems as they maintain the ecological integrity of the habitat. Particularly, felids populations have declined globally due to their sensitivity to habitat disturbances. Nevertheless, in Mexico, there are areas protected by indigenous communities to preserve a portion of their territory, benefiting multiple species, including felids. Although the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas of Mexico sponsors a long-term national-wide communal monitoring programme using camera traps, there is not a systematic analysis of the information generated by the programme. We assessed the occurrence of three felids species known to occur in a Zapotec indigenous community conservation area in Oaxaca, Mexico. Specifically, we evaluated how habitat characteristics, human disturbance and prey influence felids’ occurrence across the protected area. None of the variables explained better than the null model the proportion of sites used by Pumas (Puma concolor). Bobcats and Margays favour areas with medium-sized prey. Our study shows the importance of community-based monitoring and information systems (CBMIS) for identifying communal reserve characteristics that contribute to the occupation of carnivores. Further, our results also suggest that management should consider the habitat requirements of felids´ prey. By understanding wildlife habitat use, communal authorities could improve sustainable forest management within the reserves.
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation
Reference67 articles.
1. Using Species Distribution Models to Predict Potential Landscape Restoration Effects on Puma Conservation
2. El Ordenamiento Territorial y los estatutos comunales: el caso de Santa Cruz Tepetotutla, Usila, Oaxaca.;Anta-Fonseca;México. Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales; Instituto Nacional de Ecología; Instituto para el Desarrollo Sustentable en Mesoamérica, AC. Grupo Autónomo para la Investigación Ambiental, A.C. Grupo de Estudios Ambientales, A.C. Methodus Consultora, S,2006
3. Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1821).;Aranda;Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, Fondo de Cultura Económica, México,2005
4. Prey Spectra of Jaguar (Panthera onca) and Puma (Puma concolor) in Tropical Forests of Mexico
5. ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO DE LA ALIMENTACIÓN DEL GATO MONTÉS (LYNX RUFUS) EN DOS DIFERENTES AMBIENTES DE MÉXICO