Cornell University
Library
Cornell UniversityLibrary

eCommons

Help
Log In(current)
  1. Home
  2. Cornell University Graduate School
  3. Cornell Theses and Dissertations
  4. OCCUPANCY AND CO-OCCURRENCE OF CARNIVORES IN THE ECUADORIAN ANDES

OCCUPANCY AND CO-OCCURRENCE OF CARNIVORES IN THE ECUADORIAN ANDES

File(s)
Springer_cornell_0058O_10425.pdf (2.04 MB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/nmws-7m86
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/64906
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Springer, Vanessa Laurel
Abstract

The Chocó-Andean region of Ecuador is at the junction of two of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, yet this biodiversity is at risk due to the alarming pace at which habitat is being converted for human land uses including agriculture, cattle grazing, and mining. Our study was conducted in conjunction with ongoing research to design a socio-ecological corridor between two ecological reserves in Northern Ecuador. The focal species of this corridor design is the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus), which is considered an umbrella species in the region. However, little research has been done concerning the spatial ecology of Andean bears and other carnivores that share habitat in this area. We conducted a large-scale camera trapping survey and used single and multi-species occupancy modeling to examine 1) the habitat associations of tayras (Eira barbara), a relatively unstudied species throughout Central and South America and 2) co-occurrence of Andean bears with humans and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Tayra occupancy was influenced positively by native forest, the dominant habitat type in the area, and pasture (land deforested for cattle grazing) was not a strong predictor on occupancy. Andean bear occupancy was independent of human and dog presence on the landscape, and instead driven by land use/cover types. Our results indicate that tayras and Andean bears may be acclimated to certain human impacts on the landscape. We recommend that further research explore the spatial ecology of these species across multiple survey seasons and at a finer scale to monitor changes over time and investigate the specific mechanisms that may allow these species to coexist with humans on the landscape.

Date Issued
2018-12-30
Keywords
Wildlife management
•
Wildlife conservation
Committee Chair
Fuller, Angela K.
Committee Member
Cooch, Evan G.
Degree Discipline
Natural Resources
Degree Name
M.S., Natural Resources
Degree Level
Master of Science
Type
dissertation or thesis

Site Statistics | Help

About eCommons | Policies | Terms of use | Contact Us

copyright © 2002-2026 Cornell University Library | Privacy | Web Accessibility Assistance