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Impacts of cattle grazing on forest structure and raptor distribution within a neotropical protected area

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Abstract

Uncontrolled cattle grazing is frequent in protected areas across the tropics but its effect on habitat structure and biodiversity is poorly known. We used generalized additive models to examine the precise relationships between cattle grazing intensity, vegetation structure, and raptor occurrence and richness across 39 1-km2 plots within the North West Biosphere Reserve, Peru. Cattle grazing was widespread and intensity was negatively correlated with average canopy height and percentage of vegetation cover at 5–15 m. Raptors were influenced by cattle density but they were probably more strongly influenced by canopy and sub-canopy characteristics. Raptor species responded differently to increasing cattle density: presence of species that hunted or searched for food in open habitats increased with cattle density, while presence of range restricted species that hunted from perches, and declining species decreased. Moderate cattle densities (20–60 cows km−2) may actually benefit some raptor species and help to maintain the high raptor diversity in the study area. Reserve authorities should, however, act to reduce cattle densities in some areas, which can exceed 120 cows km−2, that seriously affect some key raptor species, and cause forest to be converted to permanent cattle pasture.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by The Peregrine Fund, Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation, the Association of Field Ornithologists, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland Zoological Society, and Idea Wild. We thank Virgilio and Wilson Rueda local guides from Pampas de Hospital for help in the field. The Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA) and Ministry of the Environment granted permits to conduct field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science & the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK

    Renzo P. Piana & Stuart J. Marsden

  2. The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA

    Renzo P. Piana

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  1. Renzo P. Piana
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Correspondence to Renzo P. Piana.

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Piana, R.P., Marsden, S.J. Impacts of cattle grazing on forest structure and raptor distribution within a neotropical protected area. Biodivers Conserv 23, 559–572 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0616-z

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