Mammalian carnivore occupancy is inversely related to presence of domestic dogs in the high Andes of Ecuador.

ABSTRACT: Although the Andes have long been occupied by people, habitat loss, fragmentation through deforestation, and other human activities such as introduction of invasive species have increased drastically during the past century. The Ecuadorian Andes are considered a biodiversity hotspot. However, the fauna and threats to the region are poorly studied, and understanding of factors that shape the distribution of species in habitats disturbed by human activities is needed to identify and mitigate region-wide threats to wildlife. We evaluated factors associated with patterns of occurrence of Andean carnivores in landscapes of the northern Ecuadorian Andes, particularly habitat loss, fragmentation, and occupancy of domestic dogs, and determined whether thresholds occurred for these factors beyond w

SUBMITTER: Zapata-Rios G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5830290 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature