Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

A biodiversity hotspot losing its top predator: The challenge of jaguar conservation in the Atlantic Forest of South America

Full text
Author(s):
Show less -
Paviolo, Agustin ; De Angelo, Carlos ; Ferraz, Katia M. P. M. B. ; Morato, Ronaldo G. ; Pardo, Julia Martinez ; Srbek-Araujo, Ana C. ; Beisiegel, Beatriz de Mello ; Lima, Fernando ; Sana, Denis ; da Silva, Marina Xavier ; Velazquez, Myriam C. ; Cullen, Laury ; Crawshaw, Jr., Peter ; Jorge, Maria Luisa S. P. ; Galetti, Pedro M. ; Di Bitetti, Mario S. ; de Paula, Rogerio Cunha ; Eizirik, Eduardo ; Aide, T. Mitchell ; Cruz, Paula ; Perilli, Miriam L. L. ; Souza, Andiara S. M. C. ; Quiroga, Veronica ; Nakano, Eduardo ; Pinto, Fredy Ramirez ; Fernandez, Sixto ; Costa, Sebastian ; Moraes, Jr., Edsel A. ; Azevedo, Fernando
Total Authors: 29
Document type: Journal article
Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 6, NOV 16 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 26
Abstract

The jaguar is the top predator of the Atlantic Forest (AF), which is a highly threatened biodiversity hotspot that occurs in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. By combining data sets from 14 research groups across the region, we determine the population status of the jaguar and propose a spatial prioritization for conservation actions. About 85% of the jaguar's habitat in the AF has been lost and only 7% remains in good condition. Jaguars persist in around 2.8% of the region, and live in very low densities in most of the areas. The population of jaguars in the AF is probably lower than 300 individuals scattered in small sub-populations. We identified seven Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs) and seven potential JCUs, and only three of these areas may have >= 50 individuals. A connectivity analysis shows that most of the JCUs are isolated. Habitat loss and fragmentation were the major causes for jaguar decline, but human induced mortality is the main threat for the remaining population. We classified areas according to their contribution to jaguar conservation and we recommend management actions for each of them. The methodology in this study could be used for conservation planning of other carnivore species. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/09300-0 - Trophic ecology, functional diversity and occurrence of terrestrial mammals in the Atlantic Forest
Grantee:Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi de Barros Ferraz
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants