A biodiversity hotspot losing its top predator: The challenge of jaguar conservation in the Atlantic Forest of South America.

T. Mitchell Aide,Miriam Lúcia Lages Perilli ,Ana Carolina Srbek‐Araujo ,Verónica Quiroga,Eduardo Yoshio Nakano ,Julia Martínez Pardo ,Andiara Silos M. C. Souza ,Agustin Javier Paviolo ,Peter G. Crawshaw ,Paula Cruz,Sebastián Andrés Costa ,Beatriz de Mello Beisiegel,Kátia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi De Barros Ferraz ,Dênis Aléssio Sana ,Fredy Ramírez Pinto,Eduardo Eizirik,Laury Cullen,Mario S. Di Bitetti,Ronaldo Gonçalves Morato ,Fernando César Cascelli De Azevedo ,Pedro Manoel Galetti ,Fernando Lima,Edsel A. Moraes ,María Luisa S. P. Jorge,Myriam Velázquez ,Sixto Fernàndez ,Carlos De Angelo,Rogério Cunha De Paula ,Marina Xavier da Silva

doi:10.1038/srep37147

Abstract

The jaguar is the top predator of the Atlantic Forest (AF), which is a highly threatened biodiversity hotspot that occurs in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. By combining data sets from 14 research groups across the region, we determine the population status of the jaguar and propose a spatial prioritization for conservation actions. About 85% of the jaguar’s habitat in the AF has been lost and only 7% remains in good condition. Jaguars persist in around 2.8% of the region, and live in very low densities in most of the areas. The population of jaguars in the AF is probably lower than 300 individuals scattered in small sub-populations. We identified seven Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs) and seven potential JCUs, and only three of these areas may have ≥50 individuals. A connectivity analysis shows that most of the JCUs are isolated. Habitat loss and fragmentation were the major causes for jaguar decline, but human induced mortality is the main threat for the remaining population. We classified areas according to their contribution to jaguar conservation and we recommend management actions for each of them. The methodology in this study could be used for conservation planning of other carnivore species.

Highlights

Tropical forests sustain most of the global terrestrial biodiversity, but they have suffered high rates of deforestation and defaunation of large vertebrates[7,8]
Jaguar habitat loss varied among countries: Brazil lost 87% of its’ original Atlantic Forest (AF) suitable habitat, Paraguay 64% and Argentina 39%
We identified seven areas with presence of males and females that were categorized as Jaguar Conservation Units (JCU) and five Potential Jaguar Conservation Units (PJCU; no detection of both sexes)

Summary

Introduction

Tropical forests sustain most of the global terrestrial biodiversity, but they have suffered high rates of deforestation and defaunation of large vertebrates[7,8]. The jaguar is the top predator of the Neotropical region, currently occurring from southern United States to northern Argentina It has disappeared from about 54% of its original range, due to habitat loss, depletion of the prey base and human persecution[14]. Saving the jaguar population in the AF requires a better understanding of its status throughout the entire region, as well as international planning and cooperation for conservation[24] This article addresses this limitation by combining data sets from 14 jaguar research projects from across the AF to: (i) evaluate current jaguar habitat availability, (ii) estimate the area of occupancy and population size, (iii) identify potential connectivity cost among subpopulations, (iv) identify the main threats to jaguar conservation in the region, (v) propose integrated actions for long-term conservation, and (vi) use our study as a model to assist conservation efforts of jaguars and other large carnivores in other regions facing similar conservation problems

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Results

Conclusion