Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of multi-scale landscape structure on the occurrence of carnivorous mammals in a human-modified savanna, Brazil

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Wildlife Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

São Paulo is the most developed state in Brazil and contains few fragments of native ecosystems, generally surrounded by intensive agriculture lands. Despite this, some areas still shelter large native animals. We aimed at understanding how medium and large carnivores use a mosaic landscape of forest/savanna and agroecosystems, and how the species respond to different landscape parameters (percentage of landcover and edge density), in a multi-scale perspective. The response variables were: species richness, carnivore frequency and frequency for the three most recorded species (Puma concolor, Chrysocyon brachyurus and Leopardus pardalis). We compared 11 competing models using Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and assessed model support using weight of AIC. Concurrent models were combinations of landcover types (native vegetation, “cerrado” formations, “cerradão” and eucalypt plantation), landscape feature (percentage of landcover and edge density) and spatial scale. Herein, spatial scale refers to the radius around a sampling point defining a circular landscape. The scales analyzed were 250 (fine), 1,000 (medium) and 2,000 m (coarse). The shape of curves for response variables (linear, exponential and power) was also assessed. Our results indicate that species with high mobility, P. concolor and C. brachyurus, were best explained by edge density of the native vegetation at a coarse scale (2,000 m). The relationship between P. concolor and C. brachyurus frequency had a negative power-shaped response to explanatory variables. This general trend was also observed for species richness and carnivore frequency. Species richness and P. concolor frequency were also well explained by a second concurrent model: edge density of cerradão at the fine (250 m) scale. A different response was recorded for L. pardalis, as the frequency was best explained for the amount of cerradão at the fine (250 m) scale. The curve of response was linearly positive. The contrasting results (P. concolor and C. brachyurus vs L. pardalis) may be due to the much higher mobility of the two first species, in comparison with the third. Still, L. pardalis requires habitat with higher quality when compared with other two species. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple spatial scales when evaluating species responses to different habitats. An important and new finding was the prevalence of edge density over the habitat extension to explain overall carnivore distribution, a key information for planning and management of protected areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aberg J, Jansson G, Swenson JE, Angelstam P (1995) The effect of matrix on the occurrence of hazel grouse in isolated habitat fragments. Oecologia 103:265–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antongiovanni M, Metzger JP (2005) Influence of matrix habitats on the occurrence of insectivorous bird species in Amazonian forest fragments. Biol Conserv 122:441–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aragona M, Setz EZ (2001) Diet of the maned wolf, during wet and dry seasons at Ibitipoca state park. Brazil J Zool 254(1):131–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arrhenius O (1921) Species and area. J Ecol 9:95–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldissera R, Ganade G, Brescovit AD, Hartz SM (2008) Landscape mosaic of Araucaria forest and forest monocultures influencing understorey spider assemblages in southern Brazil. Austral Ecol 33:45–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Bender DJ, Fahrig L (2005) Matrix structure obscures the relationship between interpatch movement and patch size and isolation. Ecology 86:1023–1033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry O, Mandy T, Gleeson DM, Sarres D (2005) Effect of vegetation matrix on animal dispersal: genetic evidence from a study of endangered skinks. Conserv Biol 19:855–864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bietti MS, Paviolo A, Ângelo D (2006) Density, habitat use and activity patterns of ocelots in the Atlantic Forest of Missiones, Argentina. J Zool 270(1):153–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolker B (2008) Ecological Models and Data in R, 516p available at http://www.zoo.ufl.edu/bolker/emdbook. Accessed 22 April 2008

  • Boscolo D, Metzger JP (2009) Is bird incidence in Atlantic forest fragments influenced by landscape patterns at multiple scales? Landscape Ecology. doi:10.1007/s10980-009-9370-8, 12p

  • Boscolo D, Candia-Gallardo C, Awade M, Metzger JP (2008) Importance of inter-habitat gaps and stepping-stones for a bird species in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Biotropica 40:273–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brannstrom C (2001) Conservation-with-development models in Brazil's agro-pastoral landscapes. World Dev 29:1345–1359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnham KP, Anderson DR (2002) Model selection and multimodel inference. A practical information—theoretical approach. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassandra LT, Zhang L, Mitsch WJ (2008) Aquatic metabolism as an indicator on the ecological effects of hydrologic pulsing in flow-through wetlands. Ecol Indic (2008). doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2007.09.005

  • Castellon TD, Sieving KE (2005) An experimental test of matrix permeability and corridor use by and endemic understory bird. Conserv Biol 20:135–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coelho CM, Melo FB, Sábato AL, Magni EMV, Hirsch A, Young RJ (2008) Habitat use by wild maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in a transition zone environment. J Mammal 89:97–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comiskey EJ, Bass Jr OL, Gross LJ, McBride RT, Salinas R (2002) Panthers and Forests in South Florida: an Ecological Perspective. Conservation Ecology 6(1): 18. Available at http://www.consecol.org/vol6/iss1/art18. Accessed 1 August 2009

  • Coutinho LM (1978) O conceito de cerrado. Rev Bras Bot 1:17–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Crooks K (2002) Relative sensitivities of mammalian carnivores to habitat fragmentation. Conserv Biol 16:488–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devictor V, Julliard R, Jiguet F (2008) Distribution of specialist and generalist species along spatial gradients of habitat disturbance and fragmentation. Oikos 117(4):507–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dietz JM (1984) Ecology and social organization of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). Smithson Contrib Zool 392:1–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixo M, Metzger J, Morgante J, Zamudio K (2008) Habitat fragmentation reduces genetic diversity and connectivity among toad populations in the Brazilian Atlantic Coastal Forest. Biol Conserv 142:1560–1569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downes SJ, Handasyde KA, Elgar MA (1997) The use of corridors by mammals in fragmented Australian eucalypt forests. Conserv Biol 11:718–726

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drakare S, Lennon JJ, Hillebrand H (2006) The imprint of the geographical, evolutionary and ecological context on species-area relationships. Ecol Lett 9(2):215–227

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durigan G, Siqueira MF, Franco GADC (2007) Threats to the cerrado remnants of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sci Agric 64:366–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahrig L (2003) Effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Ann Rev Ecol Evol Syst 34:487–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fahrig L, Merriam G (1994) Conservation of fragmented populations. Conserv Biol 8:50–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fortin MJ, Dale MRT (2005) Spatial analysis: a guide for ecologists. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fortin MJ, Dale MRT (2009) Spatial autocorrelation in ecological studies—a legacy of solutions and myths. Geogr Anal 41:392–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garshelis DL (2000) Delusions in habitat evaluation: measuring use, selection and importance. Research techniques in animal ecology: controversies and consequences. Columbia University Press, New York, pp 111–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Goulart FVB, Cáceres NC, Graipel ME, Tortato MA, Ghizoni IR, Oliveira-Santos LGR (2009) Habitat selection by large mammals in a southern Brazilian atlantic forest. Mamm Biol 74(3):182–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansbauer MM, Storch I, Leu S, Nieto-Holguin J-P, PimentelRG KF, Metzger JP (2008) Movements of neotropical understory passerines affected by anthropogenic forest edges in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Biol Conserv 141:782–791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilty JA, Merenlender AM (2004) Use of riparian Corridors and vineyards by mammalian predators in Northern California. Conserv Biol 18:126–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IBGE-Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (1973) Cartas Topográficas Luis Pulador (folha SF-22-Z-B-IV-3). IBGE, Rio de Janeiro

    Google Scholar 

  • INPE—Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (2005) SPRING—Sistema de Processamento de Informações Georreferenciadas, version 4.1. Available at <www.dpi.inpr.br/spring>. Accessed 01 June 2005

  • Lindenmayer D, Hobbs RJ, Montague-Drake R, Alexandra J, Bennett A, Burgman M, Cale P, Calhoun A, Cramer V, Cullen P, Driscoll D, Fahrig L, Fischer J, Franklin J, Haila Y, Hunter M, Gibbons P, Lake S, Luck G, MacGregor C, McIntyre S, Mac Nally R, Manning A, Miller J, Mooney H, Noss R, Possingham H, Saunders D, Schmiegelow F, Scott M, Simberloff D, Sisk T, Tabor G, Walker B, Wiens J, Woinarski J, Zavaleta E (2008) A checklist for ecological management of landscape for conservation. Ecol Lett 11:78–91

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lomolino MV (2000) Ecology's most general, yet protean pattern: the species–area relationship. J Biogeogr 27(1):17–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lomolino MV (2001) The species–area relationship: new challenges for an old pattern. Progr Phys Geogr 25(1):1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyra-Jorge MC, Ciocheti G, Pivello VR (2008) Carnivore mammals in a fragmented landscape in northeast of São Paulo State, Brazil. Biodivers Conserv 17:1573–1580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsden SJ, Symes CT (2008) Bird richness and composition along an agricultural gradient in New Guinea: the influence of land use, habitat heterogeneity and proximity to intact forest. Austral Ecol 33:784–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martensen AC, Pimentel RG, Metzger JP (2008) Relative effects of fragment size and connectivity on bird community in the Atlantic Rain Forest: implications for conservation. Biol Conserv 141:2184–2192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAlpine CA, Bowen ME, Callaghan JG, Lunney D, Rhodes JR, Mitchell DL, Pullar DV, Poszingham HP (2006) Testing alternative models for the conservation of Koalas in fragmented rural–urban landscapes. Austral Ecol 31:529–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger JP, Martensen AC, Dixo M, Bernacci LC, Ribeiro MC, Teixeira AMG, Pardini R (2009) Time-lag in biological responses to landscape changes in a highly dynamic Atlantic forest region. Biol Conserv 142:1180–1191

    Google Scholar 

  • Michalski F, Peres CA (2005) Anthropogenic determinants of primate and carnivore local extinctions in a fragmented forest landscape of southern Amazonia. Biol Conserv 124:383–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller B, Dugelby B, Foreman D, Del Rio CM, Noss R, Phillips M, Readding R, Soulé ME, Terborgh J, Willcox L (2001) The importance of large carnivores to healthy ecosystems. Endang Spec UPDATE 18:202–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Miotto RA, Pacheco FR, Ciocheti G, Galetti PM Jr (2007) Determination of the minimum population size of pumas (Puma concolor) through faecal DNA analysis in two protected cerrado areas in the Brazilian Southeast. Biotropica 39:647–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno RS, Kays RW, Samudio R Jr (2006) Competitive release in diets of ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and puma (Puma concolor) after jaguar (Panthera onca) decline. J Mammal 84:808–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neteler M, Mitasova H (2008) Open Source GIS: a GRASS GIS approach. Springer, LLC, 3rd edn, p 406. Springer Science+Business Media, LCC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA

  • Oliveira TG, Cassaro K (1999) Guia de identificação dos felinos brasileiros, 2nd edn. Sociedade dos Zoológicos do Brasil, São Paulo, p 60

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira PS, Marquis RJ (2002) The cerrados os Brazil. Ecology and Natural history of a neotropical Savanna. Columbia University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2008) R: a language and environmental for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. ISBN 3- 900051-07-0. Available at <http://www.r-project.org>. Accessed 1 August 2009

  • Rayfield B, Moilanen A, Fortin M-J (2009) Incorporating consumer-resource spatial interactions in reserve design. Ecol Modell 220:725–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro MC, Metzger JP, Ponzoni F, Martensen AC, Hirota M (2009) Brazilian Atlantic forest: how much is left and how the remaining forest is distributed? Implications for conservation. Biol Conserv 142:1141–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricketts TH (2001) The matrix matters: effective isolation in fragmented landscapes. Am Nat 158:87–99

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roque FO, Siqueira T, Bini LM, Ribeiro MC, Tambosi LR, Ciocheti G, Trivino-Strixino S Untangling chironomid taxon associations in Neotropical streams using local and landscape filters. Freshwater Biology (in press)

  • Shida CN (2005) Evolução do uso da terras na região. In: Pivello VR, Varanda E (eds) O Cerrado Pé-de-Gigante. Parque Estadual de Vassununga—Ecologia e Conservação. Secretaria de Estado do Meio Ambiente, São Paulo, pp 30–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Smallwood KS, Fitzhugh EL (1995) A track count for estimating mountain lion Felis concolor californica population trend. Biol Conserv 71:251–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor PD, Fahrig L, Henein K, Merriam G (1993) Connectivity is a vital element of landscape structure. Oikos 68:571–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tigas LA, Van Vuren DH, Sauvajot RM (2002) Behavioral responses of bobcats and coyotes to habitat fragmentation and corridors in an urban environment. Biol Conserv 108:299–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uezu A, Metzger JP, Vielliard JM (2005) Effects of structural and functional connectivity and patch size on the abundance of seven Atlantic forest bird species. Biol Conserv 123:507–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uezu A, Beyer DD, Metzger JP (2008) Can agroforest woodlots work as stepping stones for birds in the Atlantic forest region? Biodiv Conserv 17:1907–1922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Umetsu F, Pardini R (2007) Small mammals in a mosaic of forest remnants and anthropogenic habitats—evaluating matrix quality in an Atlantic forest landscape. Landsc Ecol 22:517–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Umetsu F, Metzger JP, Pardini R (2008) Importance of estimating matrix quality for modeling species distribution in complex tropical landscapes: a test with Atlantic forest small mammals. Ecography 31:359–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vandermeer J, Carvajal R (2001) Metapopulation dynamics and the quality of the matrix. Am Nat 158:211–220

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang E (2002) Diets of acelots, margays and oncillas in the Atlantic rainforest in southeast Brazil. Stud Neotrop Faun Environ 37(3):207–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner HH, Fortin MJ (2005) Spatial analysis of landscape: concepts and statistics. Ecology 86:1975–1987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walz U (2008) Monitoring landscape change and functions in Saxony (Eastern Germany)—methods and indicators. Ecol Indic (2008). doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2006.12.002

  • Williams PH, Margules CR, Wilbert DW (2002) Data requirements and data sources for biodiversity priority area selection. Journal of Bioscience 27:327–338

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zaccarelli N, Riiters KH, Petrosillo I, Zurlini G (2008) Indicating disturbance contend and context for preserved areas. Ecol Indic (2008). doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2007.01.010

  • Zurlini G, Girardin P (2008) Introduction of the special issue on “Ecological Indicators at multiple scales”. Ecol Indic (2008), doi.10.1016/j.ecolind.2007.12.003

  • Zuur AG, Ieno EN, Walker NJ, Savaliev AA, Smith GM (2009) Mixed effects models and extensions in ecology with r. Springer, New York, USA, p 574

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. Carlos Alberto Vettorazzi for his suggestions on a previous phase of this study and to Neotropical Grassland Conservancy and CNPQ for financial support. We are also very thankful to Patrick James, Danilo Boscolo and Tadeu Siqueira for their contributions in a later version of the paper. MCR thanks to Jean Paul Metzger's and Marie-Josee Fortin's research groups for all valuable discussions on landscape ecology and biodiversity conservation fields.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil , CEP 05508-900

    Maria Carolina Lyra-Jorge, Milton Cezar Ribeiro, Giordano Ciocheti, Leandro Reverberi Tambosi & Vânia Regina Pivello

Authors
  1. Maria Carolina Lyra-Jorge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Milton Cezar Ribeiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Giordano Ciocheti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Leandro Reverberi Tambosi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vânia Regina Pivello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Carolina Lyra-Jorge.

Additional information

Communicated by H. Kierdorf

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lyra-Jorge, M.C., Ribeiro, M.C., Ciocheti, G. et al. Influence of multi-scale landscape structure on the occurrence of carnivorous mammals in a human-modified savanna, Brazil. Eur J Wildl Res 56, 359–368 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-009-0324-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-009-0324-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation