Potential Species distribution models can help in the conservation of threatened species: the case of the Guigna (Leopardus guigna) in “Los Alerces” National Park, Argentina.

BERRONDO, MATIAS O.; BRAVO S. P.

PARKS

IUCN

Año: 2022

0960-233X

The Guigna (Leopardus guigna) is a felid with one of the smallest geographical distributions. In Argentina, thisspecies occurs in four national parks: Los Alerces National Park (LANP), Lago Puelo National Park, Nahuel HuapiNational Park and Lanín National Park. However, because estimations suggest that, by 2050, human land use andclimate change will negatively affect 40 per cent of its potential distribution, LANP is very important to theconservation of the species. With the aim to help the Argentine Administration of National Parks to define strategiesto protect the Guigna, the present study aimed to: (1) map sightings reported in LANP over the last 45 years anddetermine the areas with confirmed presence and probable absence of Guignas, taking into account the possibility ofobservation in different areas of the park; (2) map the park’s suitable habitats; and (3) map potentially optimal areasfor the Guigna’s conservation. The results identified four valleys as potentially optimal areas for the conservation ofGuignas within LANP and another two as secondary suitable areas. The results also indicated that to maintain ahealthy population of Guignas within LANP, the understorey structure of forest strips that connect the valleys shouldalso be conserved, and that the main threat to this structure is the expansion of Wild Boars.