Habitat selectivity by lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris and white lipped-peccary Tayassu pecari in Forest with Araucaria
Scientia Forestalis
2009
Journal Article
37
84
447-458
1413-9324
Studies of selection of the habitat, beyond reflecting important characteristics of the behavior and the population dynamics, also permit obtaining subsidies for the identification of important habitat components; or those more adequate for the species, since they are aspects of vital importance for the development of conservation strategies. This study was undertaken in the Lageado Grande Farm, located in the municipalities of General Carneiro, Bituruna, and Palmas, Parana State, Brazil, from January 2007 to July 2008. The objectives were to analyze the use of the habitats by the Tapirus terrestris and the Tayassu pecari, and to verify the habitat frequency of use and selectivity by the species. The land use was mapped and six types of habitats were identified: Meadows (MID), gallery forest (GF), forest with the predominance of pine (FPP), forest with the predominance of broadleaves (FPB), pinus plantation (PP), and anthropic area (AA). These habitats were sampled to verify the habitat frequency of use and selectivity by the species. The number of 1-ha areas to be sampled in each habitat was determined by simple random sample size calculation. The habitat use intensity was measured by the frequency of occurrence of locations and the habitat selection was evaluated by the Ivlev selectivity index. It was observed that the Tapirus terrestris and the Tayassu pecari select the meadow and gallery vegetation environments in higher proportions than their availability in the area and while these habitats are key for the survival of the species, they are less available.