RESUMO
The avifauna of South America is one of the most widely studied groups of vertebrates. However, certain species, such as the Andean Ibis (Theristicus branickii), have received limited attention regarding their ecological patterns, biology, current distribution, and environmental requirements. This study analyzed observation data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) on the Andean Ibis in four countries to identify and understand critical variables that determine the species' presence, assess the proportion of its habitat within protected areas and identify possible threats to the species. Additionally, this study considered environmental and ecological variables to model ecological niches using the maximum entropy approach in MaxEnt to map the suitable habitat of the species. The findings revealed the extent of suitable Andean Ibis habitats in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The variables that most determined the presence of the species were: altitude (36.57%), distance to lakes (23.29%) and ecological isothermality (13.34%). The distribution area of the Andean Ibis totaled 300,095.00 km2, spanning both sides of the Andean mountains range. Human activities have left a significant impact on the Andean Ibis habitat, with 48% of this area impacted by the human footprint and only 10% of the territory falling within protected areas designated by the respective countries. The results of this study show that the Andean Ibis presents characteristics of a specialist species due to its adaptation to the climate conditions of the plateau and highlands, including low temperatures, herbaceous vegetation and the presence of water bodies. The species is distributed in disconnected Andean landscape areas, whose functionality could be compromised by increased human activities. Complementary studies will be necessary to understand the ecological role and effectiveness of protected areas for conserving the species.
Assuntos
Aves , Animais , Humanos , Peru , Equador , Bolívia , ChileRESUMO
En el presente estudio se determina la presencia del oso andino Tremarctos ornatus y su interacción con el humano en tres territorios comunales de la provincia de La Mar (Ayacucho). Entre setiembre y octubre de 2019, establecimos un total de 22 transectos para identificar rastros de la especie, entrevistamos a la población sobre su interacción con el oso y, finalmente, inspeccionamos cadáveres de ganado cuyas muertes fueron atribuidas a ataques de la especie. En total se registraron 312 rastros de oso andino, la mayoria restos de alimentos, hallados predominantemente en las zonas de puna más arriba que los bosques montanos. Los pobladores locales conocen y tienen encuentros con el oso andino en campo e identificaron como las amenazas más recurrentes para el oso los incendios de pastizales, la extracción de madera y la ganadería. Además, informan que los osos causan daños a los cultivos y al ganado. No obstante, no se encontraron suficientes evidencias para confirmar que el oso andino hubiese atacado a alguno de los siete cadáveres de ganado evaluados, pero sí se identifico una posible manipulación o consumo en uno de estos. Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de combinar muestreos de presencia del oso con observaciones de la población para identificar amenazas y reducir potenciales conflictos humano-oso basado en eventos no completamente confirmados.
In the present study, we determine the presence of the Andean bear Tremarctos ornatus and its interaction with humans in three communal territories of the La Mar province (Ayacucho). Between September and October 2019, we established a total of 22 transects to identify signs of the species, interviewed the local population about their interactions with the bear, and finally inspected livestock carcasses whose deaths were attributed to attacks by the species. In total, 312 signs of the Andean bear were recorded, with the majority being food remains, primarily found in the high puna areas above the montane forests. Local residents are familiar with and have encounters with the Andean bear in the field, and they identified recurring threats to the bear, including grassland fires, timber extraction, and livestock farming. They also reported that bears cause damage to crops and livestock. However, there were not enough pieces of evidence to confirm that the Andean bear had attacked any of the seven livestock carcasses evaluated. Still, a potential manipulation or consumption was identified in one of these cases. Our results emphasize the importance of combining bear presence surveys with observations from the local population to identify threats and mitigate potential human-bear conflicts based on unconfirmed events.
