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

Author(s)

Thiago Ferreira Rodrigues

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2015-06-08

Examining board members

Adriano Garcia Chiarello; Danilo Boscolo; Renata Pardini

• Advisor: Adriano Garcia Chiarello

Abstract

The northeast of São Paulo state is a region where Cerrado remants are immersed in a landscape with high human influence mediated by vast sugarcane and Eucalyptus plantations. Mammals survival in this landscape has been little explored. Brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fischer 1814) is a species with widespread distribution in different biomes of Brazil, however little is known about its capacity of adaptation in landscapes with intensive agriculture. We conducted a study based on occupancy modelling from camera trapping data in order to evaluate which environmental factors are important to habitat selection by brown brocket deer. The study was carried out in three agricultural landscapes at four study areas between April and September (2013 and 2014) with a total effort of 6240 traps-day. Our results show that brown brocket deer are well adapted to Cerrado/agricultural matrix in the state of Sao Paulo, showing high ecological flexibility. This deer used non-protected areas as much as protected areas. Silviculture represented the only landscape covariate with high relative importance for brown brocket deer. Also, brown brocket deer shows rhythm of activity similar in and out protected areas. Our results suggest that brown brocket deer is extremely plastic species that is benefiting from environmental heterogeneity present in São Paulo\'s northeast. The generalist habit of this deer gives it advantage when compared to other more specialist species in this scenario. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 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
• Grantee: Thiago Ferreira Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master