SUSTAINING WILDLIFE DURING DRY SEASON THROUGH MANAGEMENT PLOTS

Abstract

Background. The effects of climate change are increasingly altering patterns of precipitation, temperature increase and longer droughts, which directly impacts the quality of habitat and resources for the maintenance of wildlife populations. Objective. To design and test a management area that will help to reduce wildlife vulnerability during the critical dry season. Methodology. In Wildlife Management Unit (UMA) “Cano Cruz”, in Campeche, Mexico, was evaluated a management plot for wildlife maintenance during dry season (December 2014- June 2015). The management plot had an area of three hectares, providing a water troughs and food resources such as corn, sorghum, pumpkin, among others. At the same time, he worked at an adjacent area of preserved vegetation (control site), five camera traps at both sites were installed for the monitoring of birds and mammals. To establish differences in the presence and use of water and food resources, the Relative Abundance Index was estimated monthly and several statistical tests were applied (Shapiro-Wilk, t-Student, Mann-Whitney U and Square Chi). Results. In the site of preserved vegetation, 74 individuals of three species of birds and 135 individuals of eight mammal’s species were registered, while management plot, 2,575 individuals of 24 bird species and 1,033 individuals of 14 mammal species were recorded. The management plot proved to be an important site during dry season, to maintenance of wildlife species, such as Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata), White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives), Yucatán Brown Brocket (Mazama pandora), White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) and Raccoon (Procyon lotor). Conclusion. In the face of higher temperatures and increasingly prolonged droughts in the Yucatan Peninsula, the management plot constitutes an important alternative to implement in community territories, managed under the UMA scheme, since it reduces vulnerability of priority species of birds and mammals.