Publications
Camera traps as a tool for Carnivore conservation in a mosaic of Protected Areas in the Pantanal wetlands, Brazil
Camera trapping revealed the presence of eight carnivore species, including endangered jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the Pantanal wetlands' Amolar Mountain Ridge Network. The study identified distinct activity patterns: jaguars and pumas exhibited cathemeral behavior, while ocelots and crab-eating foxes were primarily nocturnal, and Southern coatis and jaguarundis were diurnal. Despite challenges in detecting scansorial or low-density species like tayras (Eira barbara) and crab-eating raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus), camera trapping proved effective for studying carnivores and their prey in this mosaic of protected areas, providing critical data to inform conservation strategies.
Where have all the people gone? Enhancing global conservation using night lights and social media
A novel approach combining social media data and remote sensing identifies that half of all visitors to protected areas globally are concentrated in under 1% of these sites, often UNESCO World Heritage Sites with high accessibility. The study used Flickr photographs as a surrogate for visitor numbers, validated by local censuses, alongside night lights data to distinguish between urban and natural areas. Key hotspots like Brazil's Pantanal and Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni were found to attract significant visitation but remain largely unprotected. This integrated method offers real-time insights into spatial conservation gaps and pressures, demonstrating the potential of big data in global conservation efforts.
Medium to large size mammals of southern Serra do Amolar, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazilian Pantanal
A comprehensive inventory of medium to large-sized mammals in the southern Serra do Amolar, a critical biodiversity hotspot within Brazil's Pantanal biome, reveals 33 species from 18 families. This study, conducted non-invasively between 2009 and 2013 at Engenheiro Eliezer Batista Private Natural Heritage Reserve and Santa Tereza ranch, highlights the presence of endangered species like the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), vulnerable species such as the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), and near-threatened species including the jaguar (Panthera onca). The findings underscore the region's significance for mammal conservation in a broader ecological context, addressing a critical gap in biodiversity data for this understudied area.
Effects of Severe Floods and Droughts on Wildlife of the Pantanal Wetland (Brazil)—A Review
Severe floods and droughts significantly impact the wildlife of the Pantanal Wetland, Brazil, by altering habitats through tree mortality in riparian forests and modifying ecosystems adapted to seasonal water fluctuations. These extreme weather events, influenced by global climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, disrupt both natural systems and human activities such as cattle ranching and ecotourism. The study reviews how these natural disasters affect flora and fauna, emphasizing the need for adaptive wildlife management strategies to mitigate their effects on biodiversity and local economies.
Invasive species and bushmeat hunting contributing to wildlife conservation: the case of feral pigs in a Neotropical wetland
In the Brazilian Pantanal, feral pigs serve as a crucial buffer against bushmeat hunting of native wildlife, offering a culturally acceptable and readily available meat source. This study reveals that feral pigs are the primary hunting target in this Neotropical wetland, where human populations rarely hunt native species due to their scarcity or inaccessibility. Researchers used exploratory surveys, semi-structured interviews, skull collections, tooth wear analysis, and hunting registers to assess hunting patterns. While feral pigs mitigate hunting pressure on native wildlife, their ecological impacts remain uncertain, highlighting a complex conservation dilemma in non-protected areas.
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