Effect of hunting in source-sink systems in the Neotropics.

NOVARO, A. J.; REDFORD, K. H.; R. BODMER

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2000 vol. 14 p. 713 - 721

0888-8892

Previous studies of sustainability of wildlife hunting in the Neotropics have not considered potential dispersal of animals into hunted areas. A literature review of studies of subsistence hunting in the Neotropics suggests that hunting is often conducted in areas adjacent to relatively undisturbed habitat that may act as sources of animals for the hunted sites. We compared studies of tapir (Tapirus terrestris) hunting at different sites to illustrate the potential bias of sustainability evaluations based on local productivity. The limited information available suggests that dispersal could have a key role in rebuilding animal populations depleted by hunting. Thus, factors that strongly affect dispersal (such as spatial distribution and size of areas with and without hunting, population size in source areas, and social behavior) should be considered when evaluating sustainability of hunting in areas with heterogeneous hunting pressure. We suggest the application of two models that use spatial controls (recognizing the potential source-sink nature of some hunted systems and protecting unhunted refugia) to avoid wildlife overexploitation when there are limited biological information and enforcement capabilities to regulate harvests. This approach may produce more reliable evaluations of sustainability, provide information on the dynamics of hunting systems, and help local communities and policy makers conserve key areas (including protected areas) that may act as game sources.