Abstract
Balancing power production and environmental conservation can be problematic. The objective of this study was to investigate the abundance of marsh deer in the Paraná River Basin, above the Sergio Motta (Porto Primavera) Dam, before and after the impact of the dam closure. A fixed-wing, flat window aircraft was used to survey study transects. Observations were recorded based on the distance sampling line transect method, assuming that the detection probability decreases with increased distance. The abundance of marsh deer in the survey region prior to flooding was estimated to be 974 individuals (CV = 0.23). The overall abundance dropped from 974 to 444 (CV = 0.26) individuals after flooding, an overall reduction of 54%. This reduction can be attributed to the direct impact of the flooding process, but it was likely exacerbated by indirect effects, such as increased disease, hunting, and reduction in food availability. Prior to flooding, the marsh deer was distributed widely throughout the dam's catchment area; however, the marsh deer habitat was almost completely destroyed by the flooding process. This situation highlights the need to implement management strategies that ensure the survival of the remaining fragmented population.
Highlights
Concerns regarding wildlife conservation increased dramatically during the twentieth century because of the extinction, or near-extinction, of several species, which was caused by human activities or natural events
The model parameter and abundance estimates were similar for the two models
The northern block was more affected by human-related activities, which for the most part consisted of cattle ranching and clay exploitation
Summary
Concerns regarding wildlife conservation increased dramatically during the twentieth century because of the extinction, or near-extinction, of several species, which was caused by human activities (e.g., hunting and fishing, and habitat degradation) or natural events (e.g., catastrophic events and disease outbreaks). The resulting inundation can cause a major loss of habitat near the source river and around the reservoir itself (BAXTER & GLAUDE 1980, REITAN & THINGSTAD 1999, ELLIS et al 2009). The loss or degradation of habitat due to reservoir inundation can cause a decline in animal populations and species richness (GALETTI et al 2010). In Brazil, hydroelectric plant projects have eliminated floodplain habitats along many large rivers, including the Tiete, Paraná, and Rio Grande, and cattle ranching has severely reduced and fragmented floodplain habitats (MÁRQUEZ et al 2006, DUARTE et al 2008). PINDER (1994) estimated the Brazilian population of marsh deer to be 50,950 individuals, with only 1,300 animals in protected areas Aerial surveys of marsh deer have been conducted since 1976 (SCHALLER & VASCONCELOS 1978, PINDER 1994, 1996, MAURO et al 1995, MOURÃO & CAMPOS 1995, ANDRIOLO et al 2001, 2005). PINDER (1994) estimated the Brazilian population of marsh deer to be 50,950 individuals, with only 1,300 animals in protected areas
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