Sympatric guanacos and livestock share water resources in drylands of Argentina
-
Pablo Acebes
,
Juan E. Malo
Abstract
There is growing concern about the effect of livestock on wild ungulate populations, particularly in arid ecosystems, where waterholes are an extremely scarce resource, around which animals tend to gather, primarily in the dry season. This situation is worrying in South American deserts, where guanaco is the native species that often shares trophic and water resources with livestock from local communities, even inside protected areas. We assess through general linear modeling (GLM) the use of waterholes by guanaco and two introduced species, free-ranging cattle and feral donkeys, during the summer-wet and winter-dry seasons, in an arid, water-limited region in northwestern Argentina. Waterholes were more intensively used in the dry than the wet season by all three herbivores. However, introduced ungulates did not use all of the waterholes, whereas guanaco used them all with equal intensity, which points to an apparent absence of interference probably due to the low density of the introduced species. Nevertheless these results could mask negative effects regarding the risk of parasite transmission, the under-use of one of the waterholes, and the risk related to increasing livestock density in a near future. Therefore, it would be advisable to make long-term monitoring to prevent potentially negative effects on guanacos.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by a Biological Conservation project from the BBVA Foundation (INTERMARG Project). Partial support for UAM researchers is provided by the REMEDINAL 3-CM research network (S-2013/MAE-2719). We thank the staff at the Ischigualasto Provincial Park for their collaboration and help, and Nelly Horak for helping us with the English. C. Jaime helped us with statistical analyses with R. This work is dedicated to the memory of Francisco “Quico” Suárez, who helped us in the field work.
References
Acebes, P., J. Traba, J.E. Malo, R. Ovejero and C.E. Borghi. 2010a. Density and habitat use at different spatial scales of a guanaco population (Lama guanicoe) in the Monte desert of Argentina. Mammalia 74: 57–62.10.1515/mamm.2009.071Suche in Google Scholar
Acebes, P., J. Traba, B. Peco, M.L. Reus, S.M. Giannoni and J.E. Malo. 2010b. Abiotic gradients drive floristic composition and structure of plant communities in the Monte Desert. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat. 83: 395–407.10.4067/S0716-078X2010000300007Suche in Google Scholar
Acebes, P., J. Traba and J.E. Malo. 2012. Co-occurrence and potential for competition between wild and domestic large herbivores in a South American desert. J. Arid Environ. 77: 39–44.10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.09.003Suche in Google Scholar
Acebes, P., J.E. Malo and J. Traba. 2013. Trade-offs between food availability and predation risk in desert environments: the case of polygynous monomorphic guanaco (Lama guanicoe). J. Arid Environ. 97: 136–142.10.1016/j.jaridenv.2013.05.017Suche in Google Scholar
Attum, O., S.K. El Noby and I.N. Hassan. 2009. The influence of landscape characteristics and anthropogenic factors on waterhole use by vulnerable Nubian ibex Capra nubiana. Oryx 43: 564–567.10.1017/S0030605309990457Suche in Google Scholar
Bagchi, S., C. Mishra and Y.V. Bhatnagar. 2004. Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans-Himalayan mountains. Anim. Conserv. 7: 121–128.10.1017/S1367943003001148Suche in Google Scholar
Bailey, R.E. and R.J. Putman.1981. Estimation of fallow deer (Dama dama) populations from faecal accumulation. J. Appl. Ecol. 18: 697–702.10.2307/2402361Suche in Google Scholar
Baldi, R., S. Albon and D. Elston. 2001. Guanacos and sheep: evidence for continuing competition in arid Patagonia. Oecologia 129: 561–570.10.1007/s004420100770Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
Baldi, B., G. Lichtenstein, B. González, M. Funes, E. Cuéllar, L. Villalba, D. Hoces and S. Puig. 2008. Lama guanicoe. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 2013.2 <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 February 2014.Suche in Google Scholar
Bates, D., M. Maechler, B. Bolker and S. Walker. 2014. lme4: Linear mixed-effects models using Eigen and S4. R package version 1.1-7. http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=lme4.Suche in Google Scholar
Beldomenico, P.M., M. Uhart, M.F. Bonoa, C. Marull, R. Baldi and J.L. Peralta. 2003. Internal parasites of free-ranging guanacos from Patagonia. Vet. Parasitol. 118: 71–77.10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.09.008Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
Burt, B. and M.D. Turner. 2012. Clarifying competition: the case of wildlife and pastoral livestock in East Africa. Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice 2: 9.10.1186/2041-7136-2-9Suche in Google Scholar
Franklin, W.L. 1983. Contrasting socioecologies of South American wild camelids: the vicuña and the guanaco. In: (J.F. Eisenberg and D.G. Kleiman, eds.). Advances in the study of mammalian behavior. Spec. Publ. Am. Soc. Mammal. 7: 573–629.Suche in Google Scholar
Franklin, W.L. 2011. Family Camelidae (Camels). In: (D.E. Wilson and R.A. Mittermeier, eds.) Handbook of the mammals of the World, Vol. 2 – Hoofed mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. pp. 206–246.Suche in Google Scholar
Georgiadis, N.J., J.G.N. Olwero, G. Ojwang’ and S.S. Romañach. 2007. Savanna herbivore dynamics in a livestock-dominated landscape: dependence on land use, rainfall, density, and time. Biol. Conserv. 137: 461–472.10.1016/j.biocon.2007.03.005Suche in Google Scholar
Groves, C., D. Leslie, B. Huffman, R. Valdez, K. Habibi, P. Weinberg, J. Burton, P. Jarman, S. Hedges and W. Robichaud. 2011. Family Bovidae (Hollow-horned Ruminants). In: (D.E. Wilson and R.A. Mittermeier, eds.) Handbook of the mammals of the World, Vol. 2 – Hoofed mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. pp. 444–779.Suche in Google Scholar
Hibert, F., C. Calenge, H. Fritz, D. Maillard, P. Bouché, A. Ipavec, A. Convers, D. Ombredane and M.-N. de Visscher. 2010. Spatial avoidance of invading pastoral cattle by wild ungulates: insights from using point process statistics. Biodivers. Conserv. 19: 2003–2024.10.1007/s10531-010-9822-0Suche in Google Scholar
Leeuw, J., M.N. Waweru, O.O. Okello, M. Maloba, P. Nguru, M.Y. Said, H.M. Aligula, I.M.A. Heitkonig and R.S. Reid. 2001. Distribution and diversity of wildlife in northern Kenya in relation to livestock and permanent water points. Biol. Conserv. 100: 297–306.10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00034-9Suche in Google Scholar
Lichtenstein, G. and P. Carmanchahi. 2012. Guanaco management by pastoralists in the Southern Andes. Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice 2: 16.10.1186/2041-7136-2-16Suche in Google Scholar
Mishra, C., S.E. Van Wieren, P. Ketner, I.M.A. Heitkönig and H.H.T. Prins. 2004. Competition between domestic livestock and wild bharal Pseudois nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya. J. Appl. Ecol. 41: 344–354.10.1111/j.0021-8901.2004.00885.xSuche in Google Scholar
Moehlman, P.D. 1998. Feral asses (Equus africanus): intraspecific variation in social organization in arid and mesic habitats. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 60: 171–195.10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00163-4Suche in Google Scholar
Ostermann-Kelm, S., E.R. Atwill, E.S. Rubin, M.C. Jorgensen and W.M. Boyce. 2008. Interactions between feral horses and desert bighorn sheep at water. J. Mammal. 89: 459–466.10.1644/07-MAMM-A-075R1.1Suche in Google Scholar
Ovejero, R.J.A., P. Acebes, J.E. Malo, J. Traba, M.E. Mosca Torres and C.E. Borghi. 2011. Lack of feral livestock interference on native guanaco during the dry season in a South American desert. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 57: 1007–1015.10.1007/s10344-011-0511-4Suche in Google Scholar
Poblete, A.G. and J.L. Minetti. 1999. Atlas climatológico de San Juan. Instituto de Geografía Aplicada, UNSJ. CD-ROM Edition. INGEO, San Juan. Argentina.Suche in Google Scholar
Puig, S., F. Videla, M.I. Cona and S.A. Monge. 2001. Use of food availability by guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and livestock in Northern Patagonia (Mendoza, Argentina). J. Arid Environ. 47: 291–308.10.1006/jare.2000.0677Suche in Google Scholar
Putman, R.J. 1984. Facts from faeces. Mammal Rev. 14: 79–97.10.1111/j.1365-2907.1984.tb00341.xSuche in Google Scholar
R Development Core Team. 2014. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org/.Suche in Google Scholar
Reus, M.L., F.M. Cappa, N. Andino, V.E. Campos, C. de los Ríos and C.M. Campos. 2014. Trophic interactions between the native guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and the exotic donkey (Equus asinus) in the hyper-arid Monte desert (Ischigualasto Park, Argentina). Stud. Neotrop. Fauna Environ. 49: 159–168.10.1080/01650521.2014.948772Suche in Google Scholar
Rubenstein, D.I. 2011. Family Equidae (Horses and relatives). In: (D.E. Wilson and R.A. Mittermeier, eds.) Handbook of the mammals of the World, Vol. 2 – Hoofed mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. pp. 106–143.Suche in Google Scholar
Sitters, J., I.M.A. Heitkönig, M. Holmgren and G.S.O. Ojwang. 2009. Herded cattle and wild grazers partition water but share forage resources during dry years in East African savannas. Biol. Conserv. 142: 738–750.10.1016/j.biocon.2008.12.001Suche in Google Scholar
Stewart, K.M., R.T. Bowyer, J.G. Kie, N.J. Cimon and B.K. Johnson 2002. Temporospatial distributions of elk, mule deer, and cattle: resource partitioning and competitive displacement. J. Mammal. 83: 229–244.10.1644/1545-1542(2002)083<0229:TDOEMD>2.0.CO;2Suche in Google Scholar
Voeten, M.M. and H.H.T. Prins. 1999. Resource partitioning between sympatric wild and domestic herbivores in the Tarangire region of Tanzania. Oecologia 120: 287–294.10.1007/s004420050860Suche in Google Scholar
Western, D. 1975. Water availability and its influence on the structure and dynamics of a savannah large mammal community. Afr. J. Ecol. 13: 265–286.10.1111/j.1365-2028.1975.tb00139.xSuche in Google Scholar
Yoshihara, Y., T.Y. Ito, B. Lhagvasuren, and S. Takatsuki. 2008. A comparison of food resources used by Mongolian gazelles and sympatric livestock in three areas in Mongolia. J. Arid Environ. 72: 48–55.10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.05.001Suche in Google Scholar
Young, T.P., T.M. Palmer and M.E. Gadd. 2005. Competition and compensation among cattle, zebras and elephants in a semi-arid savanna in Laikipia, Kenya. Biol. Conserv. 122: 351–359.10.1016/j.biocon.2004.08.007Suche in Google Scholar
Zeileis, A. and T. Hothorn. 2002. Diagnostic checking in regression relationships. R News 2: 7–10.Suche in Google Scholar
Zeileis, A., C. Kleiber and S. Jackman. 2008. Regression Models for Count Data in R. J. Stat. Softw. 27: 8–29.10.18637/jss.v027.i08Suche in Google Scholar
Zuur, F., E.N. Ieno, A.A. Saveliev and G.M. Smith. 2009. Mixed effects models and extensions in ecology with R. Zero-Truncated and Zero-Inflated Models for Count Data. Springer, New York, NY. pp. 574.10.1007/978-0-387-87458-6Suche in Google Scholar
©2016 by De Gruyter
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Original Studies
- Wild yak Bos mutus in Nepal: rediscovery of a flagship species
- Habitat altitude and home range of the endangered long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus): seasonal and monthly home range and altitude change
- Sympatric guanacos and livestock share water resources in drylands of Argentina
- Geographic distribution of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Brazil and new records of occurrence for the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes
- Bark-stripping damage by Callosciurus finlaysonii introduced into Italy
- Observations on the postnatal growth and development of captive Ethiopian hedgehogs, Paraechinus aethiopicus, in Qatar
- A review of bristly ground squirrels Xerini and a generic revision in the African genus Xerus
- Field identification of Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus sylvaticus: a quantitative comparison of different biometric measurements
- Increased species diversity of brush-tailed mice, genus Calomyscus (Calomyscidae, Rodentia), in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran
- Short Notes
- First record of the bushy-tailed jird, Sekeetamys calurus (Thomas, 1892) (Rodentia: Muridae) in Oman
- Characteristics of den, den tree and sites selected by the Persian squirrel in Zagros forests, western Iran
- Putative predation of Miniopterus schreibersii (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) by Zamenis longissimus (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the Albanian National Park of Prespa Lakes
- First record of Salvin’s big-eyed bat Chiroderma salvini Dobson, 1878 for Brazil
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Original Studies
- Wild yak Bos mutus in Nepal: rediscovery of a flagship species
- Habitat altitude and home range of the endangered long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus): seasonal and monthly home range and altitude change
- Sympatric guanacos and livestock share water resources in drylands of Argentina
- Geographic distribution of the European hare (Lepus europaeus) in Brazil and new records of occurrence for the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes
- Bark-stripping damage by Callosciurus finlaysonii introduced into Italy
- Observations on the postnatal growth and development of captive Ethiopian hedgehogs, Paraechinus aethiopicus, in Qatar
- A review of bristly ground squirrels Xerini and a generic revision in the African genus Xerus
- Field identification of Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus sylvaticus: a quantitative comparison of different biometric measurements
- Increased species diversity of brush-tailed mice, genus Calomyscus (Calomyscidae, Rodentia), in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran
- Short Notes
- First record of the bushy-tailed jird, Sekeetamys calurus (Thomas, 1892) (Rodentia: Muridae) in Oman
- Characteristics of den, den tree and sites selected by the Persian squirrel in Zagros forests, western Iran
- Putative predation of Miniopterus schreibersii (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) by Zamenis longissimus (Colubridae, Reptilia) in the Albanian National Park of Prespa Lakes
- First record of Salvin’s big-eyed bat Chiroderma salvini Dobson, 1878 for Brazil
