Una estrategia de conservación a escala regional para el jaguar (Panthera onca) en el distrito biogeográfico de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Abstract

Biodiversity conservation requires tools at appropriate scales and resolution for decision making. Keystone species had been an appropriate tool given the resolution of their ecological requirements and relevance for landscapes management. Large carnivores such as jaguars ( Panthera onca ) in the n eotropics represent a major keystone species, however it is strongly threatened and still lacks effective policies and mechanisms of control. Objective: Given the need for management tools at appropriate scale, this paper proposes a new strategy for the conservation of the jaguar in the biogeographical district of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM). Methodology: We evaluated the species’ potential distribution through a multi-criteria analysis, and selected the most suitable habitat patches for jaguar based on landscape metrics (shape and contagion). From this patches we used a distance analyses based on records of the species and selected priority habitat conservation nodes for the District. Results: We found average habitat areas in regeneration processes and optimal recovery and large areas in optimal condition (12,348 km2) for jaguar. Two J-PCU were identified for the District: J-PCU Piedras- Mendihuaca Guachaca with an area of 473 km2 and J- PCU Tapias-Rancheria with an area of 1.810 km2. Discussion: This work represents a preliminary approach for the region which will allow not only implementing specific conservation strategies in the short and medium term for jaguar and the ecosystems they inhabit, but also serve as a basis for planning at regional level.