Efeitos indiretos sobre a fauna do corredor bioceánico central em uma área protegida do deserto do Monte: P. P. Ischigualasto.

BORGHI C.E.; CAMPOS, C.M.; ORTUÑO, N.; BENINATO, V.; ANDINO, N.; CAMPOS, V.; DE LOS RÍOS, C.; CAPPA, F.; GIANNONI, S.M.

Ecologia de Estradas: Tendências e Pesquisas.

Editorial Universidade Federal de Lavras

Lugar: Lavras; Año: 2012; p. 237 - 252

The Central Bioceanic Corridor is a road that will link ports on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. In Argentina, the road traverses the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, an arid ecosystem inhabited by endangered species. The Corridor will have effects owing to increased and new vehicle traffic along road sections within the Park and to higher use of the internal trail for tourists. The objectives of this study are: 1) Evaluating the main road crossing points for two native species: Dolichotis patagonum and Lama guanicoe voglii, to propose places for building wildlife crossings; 2) Assessing the effect of currently built roads on habitat use by both species; and 3) Assessing the current effect of the Park’s inner trail on habitat use by D. patagonum. Data on presence of animal signs were used in estimating kernel areas to suggest location of crossing structures. Animal relative abundance was estimated for different road sections and related to biotic and abiotic variables. To evaluate the effect of the internal trail on D. patagonum, relative abundances were compared at two distances from the trail during two seasons. Results show that both studied species use areas of the road as yet untravelled or with little current traffic. D. patagonum prefers the inner trail where vehicle traffic is low. L. guanicoe appears not to perceive road areas as being hazardous. To mitigate the effects of the Corridor, we suggest construction of overhead and underground wildlife crossings allowing for connectivity between populations.