CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Animals may divert time and energy in similar ways in front of predators, humans, or landscape infrastructures. Roads have facilitated the economic and social development of human populations. Nevertheless their presence and human use cause environmental changes, such as clearing, which increase perception of predation risk. Among the responses to this are changes in animal behaviours. It is for this reason that we aim to assess whether roads in an Argentine Reserve affect perception of predation risk by guanacos through behaviour changes. We analysed the effect of two roads, route and track, and their surrounding environment, such as vegetation structure, on group size variation and on three behaviours: vigilance, foraging, and movement. We also used structure of groups of guanacos (Lama guanicoe), like number of calves, to explain these behaviours. The roads in the protected area had no impact on the size of guanaco groups. Notwithstanding, individuals were less vigilant and foraged more closely to roads and when in bigger groups, showing that closeness to roads is less risky for these animals. Although movement time was not affected by roads, animals moved more when in small groups and in areas with medium-height vegetation. The number of animals displaying vigilance or foraging behaviours was not affected by any of the explanatory variables. However, nearness to the track and high plant cover showed the highest proportions of animals moving in the area. Based on this we concluded that guanacos perceived the roadside environment as safer. This could be due to open areas adjacent to roads. Knowing the effects of roads on wildlife in protected areas is necessary to find ways to reach a balance between the economic development of a region and conservation of its biodiversity.