Conservación de la güigna (Oncifelis guigna) en bosques fragmentados de la Cordillera de la Costa de Chile central

ACOSTA-JAMETT G & JA SIMONETTI

Cita

chapter publicada [Carnívoros]

ACOSTA-JAMETT G & JA SIMONETTI (2005) Conservación de la güigna (Oncifelis guigna) en bosques fragmentados de la Cordillera de la Costa de Chile central. En: Smith-Ramírez C, JJ Armesto & C Valdovinos (Ed.), Historia, Biodiversidad y Ecología de los Bosques Costeros de Chile (pp 573-577). Santiago, Chile: Editorial Universitaria.

Abstract

Central Chile is characterized by a mosaic of native forest fragmanets of different sizes immersed in an anthropogenic vegetation matrix. This landscape transformation may affect habitat availability for native carnivores, such as Oncifelis guigna (Felidae). To. Determine the potential impact of forest fragmentation on this species, its use of different habitats was evaluated in Los Queules national reserve (LQNR), in nearby fragments of native forest and in surrounbding pine plantations (35 59’S – 72 41’W). habitat use was assessed by the rate of animals visits to scent stations. Each station was characterized by its vegetation structure and composition, distance to the nearest native forest, ravines or road. Oncifelis guigna preferred habitats with dense shrub cover, distant from roads, and close to large patches of native forest. Based on this information, we developed a metapopulation model to infer thje probability of extinction of Oncifelis populations in protected wildlife areas of the coastal range of central Chile. Metapopulations were classified depending on the size and isolation of remnant forest patches. It was predicted that the metapopulation of Nahuelbuta National Park and nearby forest is the only one viable in the long-term. Nevertheless, both metapopulations depend on the persistence of remnant forest fragments located within private land owned by forestry companies. Consequently, the survival of O. guigna in the coastal range of central Chile will only be possible through a protection program for these forest fragments.