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Mammalian densities in a Neotropical wetland subject to extreme climatic events

Desbiez, Arnaud Leonard Jean, Bodmer, Richard E., Tomas, Walfrido M. (2010) Mammalian densities in a Neotropical wetland subject to extreme climatic events. Biotropica, 42 (3). pp. 372-378. ISSN 0006-3606. (doi:10.1111/j.1744-7429.2009.00601.x) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:30049)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2009.00601.x

Abstract

Effective management and conservation of an ecosystem requires information on species assemblages as well as reliable estimates of population sizes to plan, implement and evaluate management strategies. The Brazilian Pantanal is one of the world's largest freshwater wetlands and considered a priority landscape for wildlife conservation. It is subject to pluri-annual extreme dry and wet periods, which cause extreme flood and drought events, which strongly affect wildlife. Using the line-transect method, this study examined the distribution of densities and metabolic biomass of medium- to large-sized nonvolant mammals in forest, cerrado and floodplain landscapes, in an area with low anthropogenic influence, in the central area of the Brazilian Pantanal during a prolonged drought. Comparisons with a previous survey conducted during years of average rainfall in part of the study area suggest that population fluctuations of certain species are closely associated with water due to the drought. Results from this study showed that mammal assemblages varied between landscapes. Forested landscapes have the highest densities of mammals and are the most important in terms of relative energy consumption. In addition, at the time of the study, frugivores were found to have higher energy consumption than browser/grazers across the three landscapes; most fruits are produced in forested areas stressing their importance. By converting forested landscapes into grasslands, the intensification of ranching practices seriously threatens biodiversity and ecological processes in the region.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2009.00601.x
Uncontrolled keywords: deforestation; floodplain; frugivores; line-transects; mammal assemblages; Pantanal
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Shelley Urwin
Date Deposited: 07 Aug 2012 12:46 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:08 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/30049 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Bodmer, Richard E..

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