Estimating occupancy of protected areas and its buffer zones by brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira Fischer, 1814) in the Northeast of São Paulo State

• Grant number: 14/14263-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: December 10, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Garcia Chiarello
• Grantee: Thiago Ferreira Rodrigues
• Supervisor: Roland Wesley Kays
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/06495-1 - Estimating occupancy inside and outside conservation areas and buffer zones by brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira Fischer, 1814) in the Northeast of Sao Paulo state, BP.MS

Abstract

The brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer 1814) is a species with widespread distribution in different biomes in the Brazil, however little is known about its capacity of adaptation in landscapes with high presence of agriculture or silviculture. This research project aims to compare the probability of occupancy by M. gouazoubira in protected areas and its buffer zone, identifying what are the main environment variables influencing this process. We will also estimate the abundance and density of this species to infer about its population dynamics in this disturbed environment. For this we will use camera trap data collected within protected areas of Cerrado (Jatai Ecological Station, State Forest of Cajuru, Cara Preta and Dois Corregos Farms) and in their buffer zones. These reserves are located in a zone of intensive agriculture in the state of Sao Paulo, the economic engine of Brazil. We will analysis the data with the software PRESENCE, MARK and R under the supervision of Dr. Roland Kays (Biodiversity Lab, at North Carolina Museum of Natural Science). This study is important to understand the capacity of adaptation of this deer, which has a key role as seed predator and disperser and is also an important prey to endangered large cats in the Neotropics. This study will also contribute to understand the importance of buffer zones of the protected areas, an important subject regarding the management of protected areas but still little studied, particularly in Brazil. (AU)