Potential contributions of mammals to human well-being in Argentina

ALONSO ROLDÁN, VIRGINIA; CAMINO, MICAELA; ARGOITIA, ANTONELLA; CAMPOS, CLAUDIA M.; CARUSO, NICOLÁS; EDER, ELENA B.; BALDI, RICARDO; BIROCHIO, DIEGO E.; CAPPA, FLAVIO M.; LASSAGA, M. VICTORIA; LUZ OLMEDO, M.; FORMOSO, ANAHÍ; D'AGOSTINO, VALERIA C.; GONZÁLEZ NOSCHESE, CAMILA S.; UDRIZAR SAUTHIER, DANIEL; JUÁREZ, CECILIA P.; DEGRATI, MARIANA; IGLESIAS, MARTÍN; COELHO, LORENA; SOSA DROUVILLE, AILÍN; PRIOTTO, JOSÉ W.

Mastozoología Neotropical

SAREM

Año: 2022 vol. 29 p. 1 - 814

Mammals are key components of biodiversity mediating ecosystem functions, mainly because of the diversity of forms and functions of this group. Understanding and making explicit the role of mammals underpinning Nature Contributions to People (NCP) or directly contributing to human well-being would help to influence policy formulation towards sustainable development and nature conservation. During a workshop held at XXXII JAM and subsequent collaborative work, we compile the information related to Mammal’s Contributions to People in Argentina (MCP-Arg) based on the participants’ interpretation of available literature and their field experience. Argentinian mammals contribute to 12 of the 18 NCP defined. We deduced numerous MCP-Arg from studies mainly focused on ecological processes and conservation, showing a gap of information on MCP-Arg description, quantification and mapping. All taxa contribute in similar proportions to total contributions, highlighting the importance of preserving mammal diversity. Conservation also should be framed at local community scale rather than at regional scale, aiming to preserve ecological function and the contribution to human well-being, especially regulation contributions. Our results showed a destructive feedback between threats and habitat-related contributions, with habitat degradation being the main threat to contributions and habitat maintenance the most threatened one. Our research shows that an important amount of knowledge on MCP-Arg is available through narratives and interpretation. Considering the NCP´s approach to mammalian research we can make sound contributions both to mammal conservation and human well-being.