Influencia de la disponibilidad de agua en la presencia y abundancia de Tapirus bairdii en la selva de Calakmul, Campeche, México

Water availability is a key determinant of the distribution and abundance of Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. The study found that tapirs were predominantly active at night, with adult individuals dominating the population in a balanced sex ratio. Among 15 watering holes studied across three microregions from 2008 to 2010, 14 showed tapir presence, with the highest activity recorded in the southern microregion and 'Bonfil' watering hole (central microregion). Camera-trap data revealed an abundance of 37.57 individuals per 1000 trap-nights. Environmental variables such as water availability and vegetation structure—particularly arboreal secondary forest and tall forest—significantly influenced tapir presence, underscoring the critical role of watering holes in conservation efforts for this species.

Pérez Cortez, S., Enríquez, P. L., Sima Panti, D. E., Reyna Hurtado, R. Á., & Naranjo, E. J. (2012). Influencia de la disponibilidad de agua en la presencia y abundancia de Tapirus bairdii en la selva de Calakmul, Campeche, México. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 83(3). https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.25095