Rol de paisajes Ganaderos en la conservación de la fauna silvestre adyacente al Área de Conservación Municipal Tinajillas Río Gualaceño

Abstract

Agricultural expansion and resource overexploitation are leading to forest fragmentation, which disrupts the food chain and consequently impacts wildlife. In Ecuador, approximately 48% of the area in cantons like Limón Indanza is covered by pastureland. A significant challenge lies in developing strategies that balance productive activities with conservation in areas bordering protected zones. Despite this, there's a lack of research evaluating the role of livestock systems in wildlife conservation. This study aimed to assess this role in áreas adjacent to the Tinajillas-Río Gualaceño Municipal Conservation Area (ACMTRG) in Limón Indanza, Morona Santiago province. Wildlife monitoring data was collected over three months using 18 camera traps. These sites spanned forest, forest-pasture edge, and pastureland, later mapped using drone flyovers. Forests exhibited the highest species richness (26 species, averaging 10), compared to edge (5) and pasture (4.5) land uses. The most frequently sighted species across all areas were pumas (Puma concolor, 13 sightings) and mountain tapirs (Tapirus pinchaque, 17 sightings). Although pastures showed roughly half the wildlife presence of forests, they can still be considered important for conservation. Therefore, it's crucial to design management strategies that sustain and enhance productive activities without jeopardizing wildlife survival.