Effects of hunting egg harvest and livestock grazing intensities on density and reproductive success of wild Lesser Rheas in Patagonia.

BARRI F.R.; MARTELLA M.B.; NAVARRO J.L.

ORYX

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Año: 2008 vol. 4 p. 607 - 610

0030-6053

Wild lesser rheas were studied during two reproductive seasons (2004/2005 – 2005/2006) in three adjacent ranches of Argentine Patagonia. These ranches differed in hunting pressure and egg harvest (protected, moderate and intense use of the species), and livestock grazing conditions (with and without overgrazing). Density of individuals and nests, clutch size, brood size, hatching success, chick survival and recruitment rate were estimated in each area. Density of lesser rheas was the lowest and reproductive events were not registered at the ranch with intense hunting pressure, egg harvesting and livestock grazing. None of the demographic parameters differed between the ranch where the species was protected and showed low livestock grazing intensity, and that with moderate use of the species and intense grazing. Our work suggests that intense hunting and egg harvest would have stronger effects than overgrazing on the density and reproductive success of wild lesser rhea populations in Patagonia. Keywords: Argentine Patagonia, lesser rhea, population dynamics, hunting, egg harvest, livestock grazing intensity. Se adjunta carta de aceptación en PDF