Monitoring of small rock pools reveals differential effects of chronic anthropogenic disturbance on birds and mammals in the Calakmul region, southern Mexico

Chronic anthropogenic disturbance significantly alters species diversity, composition, and behavior of medium and large-sized birds and mammals in the Calakmul region, despite extensive forest cover. While bird diversity was higher outside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR), mammal diversity thrived within it. Daily activity patterns also differed markedly between the two groups, with mammals showing stronger contrasts than birds. The study leveraged camera trapping records from small rock pools—habitats that concentrate vertebrate activity due to water scarcity—to assess these impacts. This approach reveals that even low-intensity disturbances can have pervasive effects on wildlife, underscoring the need for targeted conservation strategies.

Delgado-Martínez, C. M., Alvarado, F., Kolb, M., & Mendoza, E. (2021). Monitoring of small rock pools reveals differential effects of chronic anthropogenic disturbance on birds and mammals in the Calakmul region, southern Mexico. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 38(2), 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0266467421000547