The role of protected and unprotected forest remnants for mammal conservation in a megadiverse Neotropical hotspot. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Magioli, Marcelo; Rios, Elaine; Benchimol, Maíra; Casanova, Diogo Cavenague; Ferreira, Aluane Silva; Rocha, Joedison; Melo, Fabiano Rodrigues de; Dias, Marcelino Pinto; Narezi, Gabriela; Crepaldi, Maria Otávia; Mendes, Lúcia Ângelo Machado; Nobre, Rodrigo de Almeida; Chiarello, Adriano Garcia; García-Olaechea, Alvaro; Nobre, Andrezza Bellotto; Devids, Camila Cantagallo; Cassano, Camila Righetto; Koike, Christine Del Vechio; São Bernardo, Christine Steiner; Homem, Daniel Henrique; Ferraz, Daniel da Silva; Abreu, Diego Leal; Cazetta, Eliana; Lima, Elson Fernandes de; Bonfim, Fernando César Gonçalves; Lima, Fernando; Prado, Helena Alves do; Santos, Henrique Gonçalves; Nodari, Joana Zorzal; Giovanelli, João Gabriel Ribeiro; Nery, Marcello Silva; Faria, Michel Barros; Ferreira, Priscila Coutinho Ribas; Gomes, Priscilla Sales; Rodarte, Raisa; Borges, Rodrigo; Zuccolotto, Thais Fanttini Sagrillo; Sarcinelli, Tathiane Santi; Endo, Whaldener; Matsuda, Yugo; Camargos, Virgínia Londe de; Morato, Ronaldo Gonçalves;
• Is Part Of: Biological conservation. Volume 259(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Assemblage composition -- Biomass -- Patch size -- Relative abundance -- Species-area relationship -- Threatened species; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109173
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3207

Abstract

Abstract: The Brazilian Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia is a megadiverse region given its remarkable number of species and endemism. Despite being a priority region for biodiversity conservation, the role of protected and unprotected forest remnants for long-term species conservation is unknown. Here, we unveil the main patterns of occurrence and distribution of medium- and large-sized mammals in remnants of the Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia, to generate subsidies for applied conservation strategies. We recorded mammals using camera-traps, active search, and/or line-transect surveys and complemented our species list with literature data. We thus obtained information on richness attributes, relative abundance, and biomass of mammal species per forest remnant, compared assemblages in protected and unprotected areas, and finally investigated both species-area and biomass-area relationships. From 72 forest remnants assessed, we recorded 45 mammal species, including 19 threatened locally. Protected areas were richer in species, especially concerning threatened ones, and concentrated most of the mammal biomass, which presented consistently low values for most areas. The positive and significant species-area and biomass-area relationships further corroborate these patterns since protected areas are larger in size. Despite the historic anthropogenic pressures, we conclude that Southern Bahia still harbors an expressive mammal diversity, with protected areas being critical to maintain most of the species' richness and biomass across the entire region. Nevertheless, small unprotected remnants (<100 ha) safeguard mammal species, including threatened ones, stressing their importance to maintain mammal assemblages in one of the most important hotpoints of the entire biome. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Protected areas are richer on mammal species, including threatened and larger ones. Biomass was relatively low across Southern Bahia, but higher on protected areas. Both species richness and assemblage biomass enhanced with increasing patch size. Protected areas are critical for maintaining mammalian diversity. Small forest remnants may slow down the process of species loss in the long term.