INVESTIGADORES
OJEDA Ricardo Alberto
artículos
Título:
Conservation of small and medium-sized mammals following native woodland regrowth: A case study in a long-term UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Argentina
Autor/es:
SOLANA TABENI, FLORENCIA SPIRITO, RICARDO OJEDA
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
Editorial:
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Referencias:
Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 vol. 88 p. 250 - 253
ISSN:
0140-1963
Resumen:
Land uses such as cattle ranching require important decisions concerning the protection of habitats and
species. This is especially true in arid lands and typically involves habitat regrowth as well as the
establishment of protected areas. However, the manner in which species respond to the protected area or
to the surrounding matrix may vary depending on their ecology, particularly habitat requirements. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the role of one such protected dryland area (MaB Reserve of
Ñacuñán) and adjacent rangelands in the central Monte Desert of Argentina. More specifically, how
effective it is in ensuring the conservation of small and medium-sized mammals. Mammal richness and
abundance estimated from both trapping and indirect signs were compared in different habitats inside
and outside the Reserve. After over 50 years of livestock exclusion in Ñacuñán, our results showed
significant changes in habitat structure and mammal diversity between protected and unprotected areas.
Species associated with high plant cover were found inside the Reserve, while the surrounding areas
were occupied by those adapted to open habitats. The presence of the endangered Dolichotis patagonum
in rangelands outside the Reserve demonstrates that unprotected areas play a major role in conserving
species diversity.