Spatial ecology of wild canids in a silvicultural landscape on state of Sao Paulo

Abstract

Among the transformation of native areas in landscapes mainly formed by large commercial exotic monocultures, a drastic reduction of natural environments occurred leading to extinction of several wild species. Despite this fact, a considerable number of species still survives in these new landscapes. Information of how animals inhabits these areas is still scarce, mainly of how they use these exotic matrices, i.e., if they only go through matrix to move between native fragments or if they also use it as habitat. It´s known, however, that its conservation depends on the correct management of these areas, what must incorporate commercial components as well as biodiversity conservation. Considering the time and resources scarcity for ecological studies to design those management plans, it is necessary to select key-species, as wild canids (Order Carnivora), and areas with representative historical land-use, as Angatuba (SP), which represents the spatio-historical land exploration of the state of São Paulo. Therefore, this thesis aim to analyze patterns in use of space by three species of wild canids in a silvicultural landscape in São Paulo. It is going to be used radiotelemetry, for calculation of home ranges and spacio-temporal movements in the various environments of these landscape, and isotopic analyses of predators' tissues, to diet reconstruction historically identifying consumption of prey from different environments in agricultural landscape.