Record Details

Novaro, A. J.;Redford, K. H.;Bodmer, R. E.
Effect of hunting in source-sink systems in the neotropics
Conservation Biology
2000
Journal Article
14
3
713-721
population-dynamics saguinus-mystax dispersal wildlife mammals management resources forests impact amazonia seminar Tapir Bibliography
dispersal can have a key role in rebuilding animal populations in hunted areas, factors that strongly affect dispersal, such as spatial distribution and size of the areas with and without hunting, population size in source areas, and social behavior, shouldf be taken into account when evaluating the effects of hunting!!! suggest two models that should be applied at the same time: recognizing the source-sink nature of a system, and protecting unhunted areas as a source Previous studies of the sustainability of wildlife hunting in the Neotropics have not considered the potential dispersal of animals into hunted areas. A literature review of studies of subsistence hunting in the Neotropics suggests that hunting is often conducted in areas adjacent to relatively undisturbed habitat that may act as sources of animals for the hunted sites. We compared studies of tapir (Tapirus terrestris) hunting at different sites to illustrate the potential bias of sustainability evaluations based on local productivity. The limited information available suggests that dispersal could have a key role in rebuilding animal populations depleted by hunting. Thus, factors that strongly affect dispersal-such as spatial distribution and size of areas with and without hunting, population size in source areas, and social behavior- should be considered when the sustainability of hunting is evaluated in areas with heterogeneous hunting pressure. We suggest the application of two models that use spatial controls (recognizing the potential source-sink nature of some hunted systems and protecting unhunted refugia) to avoid wildlife overexploitation when biological data and enforcement capabilities to regulate harvests are limited. This approach may produce more reliable evaluations of sustainability, provide information on the dynamics of hunting systems, and help local communities and policymakers conserve key areas (including protected areas) that may act as game sources.
English Article 323FF CONSERV BIOL