Local forest proportion and proximity to large forest patches are important for native mammal conservation in Dry Chaco agroecosystems

NANNI, A. SOFÍA; GIORDANO, A. J.; NIELSEN, C. K.; LUCHERINI, MAURO

ANIMAL CONSERVATION

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2021

1367-9430

Habitat loss is a significant threat to biodiversity worldwide, and the ArgentineDry Chaco is one of the most active global deforestation hotspots. Medium-largemammals are especially vulnerable to land-cover change, and in the Dry Chaco,they are subjected to the combined effect of habitat loss and hunting. In agroecosystems,blocks of natural habitat can contribute to maintaining biodiversity andecosystem functionality, and it is necessary to identify human-modified landscapeconfigurations that are compatible with wildlife conservation. Through camera-trappingin five agroecosystems of the Argentine Dry Chaco, we assessed the role oflocal-scale forest proportion and distance to large forest patches on medium-largemammal richness and frequency of records. Forest proportion positively influencedmedium-large mammal estimated richness, and large-bodied mammals were morefrequent in stations near large forest blocks and in stations with higher forest proportionwhen larger forest blocks were distant. Small-medium sized generalist carnivoreswere more frequent in stations with lower forest proportion. Forestremnants and the presence of large forest patches are thus important for mediumlargemammals in the region and more specifically for the conservation of largerbodiedspecies. Forest loss may also facilitate the increase of mesopredator populations,with potential consequences on the dynamics of ecosystems and human-wildlifeinteractions. For agroecosystems to contribute to the conservation of mammalsin the Dry Chaco, the preservation or restoration of forest remnants and of largeextensions of forests should be incorporated in regional and local land-use planning.