Determining the numbers of a landscape architect species (Tapirus terrestris), using footprints.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As a landscape architect and a major seed disperser, the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is an important indicator of the ecological health of certain habitats. Therefore, reliable data regarding tapir populations are fundamental in understanding ecosystem dynamics, including those associated with the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Currently, many population monitoring studies use invasive tagging with radio or satellite/Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. These techniques can be costly and unreliable, and the immobilization required carries physiological risks that are undesirable particularly for threatened and elusive species such as the lowland tapir.

Methods

We collected data from one of the last regions with a viable population of lowland tapir in

SUBMITTER: Moreira DO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5878928 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature