Population size, sex ratio and landscape occupancy of a population of red-billed curassow (Crax blumenbachii Spix, 1825) reintroduced in the RPPN Fazenda Macedônia, Ipaba, MG

• Grant number: 13/08009-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: July 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Garcia Chiarello
• Grantee: Joana Carvalhaes Borba de Araujo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/17752-8 - Population size, sex ratio and landscape occupancy of a population of red-billed curassow (Crax blumenbachii Spix, 1825) reintroduced in a private reserve in Southeastern Brazil, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

The red-billed curassow (Crax blumenbachii Spix, 1825), cracid endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is currently classified as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN. Today, the species counts about 250 adults living in nature, all of them divided into small populations that occupy 0.85% of its original geographic range. Since 1990, this species has been reintroduced by the NGO CRAX Brazil in the RPPN Fazenda Macedônia (RPPN FM), property of CENIBRA (Celulose Nipo-Brasileira SA), located in Ipaba, MG. So far, 78 red-billed curassows born in captivity were reintroduced to nature in this area and the population is already at the fifth generation into the wild. This project aims to estimate the population size and density and sex ratio of curassows of the RPPN FM area and analyze the landscape occupancy in the local of reintroduction of the species. Such information is required to evaluate the program's success and upgrade knowledge about this species, allowing more efficient management and conservation. The need of this research is recognized by the "Action Plan for the Conservation of Red-billed Curassow" elaborated by the Ministério do Meio Ambiente/IBAMA. Population size, sex ratio and density data will be collected during 6 months of the dry season through line-transect sampling. These data will be analyzed using the software DISTANCE. For the analysis of landscape occupancy, photographic records already obtained will be used to quantify the influence of covariates such as the presence of wild or domestic predators, watercourses, roads and homes proximity and predominant type of vegetation. These data will be analyzed using the software PRESENCE.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ARAUJO, Joana Carvalhaes Borba de. Population size, sex ratio and habitat use of a Red-billed Curassow (Crax blumenbachii Spix, 1825) population reintroduced in Ipaba, MG, Brazil. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.