Ungulates in Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur, México

Abstract

Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve (SLLBR), located in the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in the Cape Region of the State of Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico, harbors both the unique pine-oak forest in BCS and tropical dry forest of the peninsula with palms and oases throughout riparian vegetation. It concentrates numerous endemic species and a great biological diversity. Seven ungulate species inhabit the reserve: feral pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules as introduced species and only the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus peninsulae) as native species. This chapter provides knowledge of wild and feral ungulates including data obtained by trap-cameras. The mule deer in the Reserve is a common species although feral pigs and cattle are distributed in all the vegetation types, including the pine-oak forest. Cattle is the introduced species with more records in trap-cameras and sometimes more frequent than mule deer. Despite the presence of introduced species and poaching that occur in some localities, reported mainly in the lowlands surrounding the mountains, the reserve in the oak-pine forest has been a refuge for mule deer and other species. Livestock has been identified as a problem; nonetheless, more research is needed in this field, as well as in determining the effect that these species have, directly or indirectly, on wildlife using these resources, which is still unknown. Environmental education programs at a general level (including locals) are a priority to increase efficiency of conservation strategies in the reserve and its surroundings.