Medium to large-sized mammals in agricultural landscapes of south-eastern Brazil
-
Graziela Dotta
and
Luciano M. Verdade
Abstract
We determined the patterns of distribution and abundance of medium to large-sized mammals on an agricultural landscape in south-eastern Brazil. Here, we discuss some management recommendations to improve the conservation value of agricultural landscapes. From July 2003 to June 2004 we surveyed 284.4 km transects searching for tracks and visualizations of mammals in the main environments of an agricultural landscape in south-eastern Brazil. We recorded 25 native species, two exotic and six domestic species in the area: 23 species on native forest fragments, 19 on sugarcane plantations, 17 on eucalyptus plantations, and 12 on pasture areas. There were significant differences in species richness and frequency of occurrence among these environments. Pasture areas had the lowest species richness and sugarcane plantations the greatest frequency of occurrence. Some species are associated with open areas, whereas other species are associated with forested habitats. Although a considerable part of the original mammal diversity is still present, the community found is predominantly composed of species able to adapt to environmental alterations. Therefore, to improve the conservation value of agricultural landscapes in south-eastern Brazil, the maintenance of native forest fragments is essential, in addition to mitigation measures of the various agricultural impacts.
©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Original Studies
- A test of Allen’s rule in subterranean mammals: the genus Ctenomys (Caviomorpha, Ctenomyidae)
- Effect of seed availability on hoarding behaviors of Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) in semi-natural enclosures
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- Abundance of Callicebus barbarabrownae (Hershkovitz 1990),(Primates: Pitheciidae) and other nonvolant mammals in a fragment of arboreal Caatinga in northeastern Brazil
- Medium to large-sized mammals in agricultural landscapes of south-eastern Brazil
- Distribution, population size and morphometrics of the giant-striped mongoose Galidictis grandidieri Wozencraft 1986 in the sub-arid zone of south-western Madagascar
- Selectivity of mammalian predator control in managed hunting areas: an example in a Mediterranean environment
- Short Notes
- Dense-sampling reveals a complex distributional pattern between the southernmost marsupials Lestodelphys and Thylamys in Patagonia, Argentina
- Occurrence of Marmosa waterhousei in the Venezuelan Andes, with comments on its biogeographic significance
- High elevation records of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in Jalisco, Mexico
- The influence of habitat structure on the European brown hare Lepus europaeus food habits in mountainous areas of northern Greece
- Sites with reduced predation risk to young hares within an agricultural landscape
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