Relative abundances of medium and large mammals in the Cueva de Los Guácharos National Park (Huila, Colombia)

Felipe Gast,Pablo R Stevenson

doi:10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2016-0305

Abstract

Abstract: Medium and large mammals are greatly affected by human activities, such as, habitat loss and hunting. In Colombia, these pressures have been most extensive in the dry and Andean forests. However, there is scare information available on the presence or abundance of these organisms for monitoring purposes. This study used photo-trapping cameras to determine the relative abundances of medium and large mammals in a mountain forest in the National Natural Park “Cueva de los Guacharos”, Huila (Colombia). Additionally, we examined whether trail use by humans could affect the distribution of these organisms. The cameras were located every 500 meters along the trails in strategic locations. We obtained the relative abundance of 11 species, being medium-sized mammals the most frequent (Cuniculus paca, Dasyprocta punctata and Mazama rufina). We recorded the presence of mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), dwarf red brocket (Mazama rufina) and oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), which are found in a high threat category according to the IUCN. Activity patterns were reported for 4 different species including daytime, nocturnal and cathemeral activities. Finally, we concluded that large mammals avoided trails of frequent use, and although the relative abundance of mammals is not very high, this National Park is still supporting relevant biodiversity.

Highlights

The tropical Andes is a region with great biological diversity
Within the list of species, and according to the IUCN criteria some of the species found were at high threat level such as the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), which was in the endangered category
The rest of the registered species were in the least concern category (LC)

Summary

Introduction

The tropical Andes is a region with great biological diversity. the area is facing great deterioration of the habitat by anthropic intervention, such as, deforestation for agriculture and livestock (Rodríguez et al 2012, Rodriguez et al 2013). Andean and sub-Andean forests are the most affected ecosystems, while the paramo is the most protected (Armenteras et al 2003) Despite these efforts, the situation in national reserves is not optimal, there are high rates of deforestation in National Parks of Colombia (Etter et al 2006, Miller et al 2004). Recent years have shown a clear deterioration of the natural areas in the buffer zone of the Cueva de los Guácharos Natural Park (PNNCG) (Hurtado 2013). This phenomenon may be causing problems in population dynamics of organisms that inhabit these areas both by hunting (Roldán and Simonetti 2001) and habitat reduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion