Influence of land use and artificial water bodies on the habitat use of Myocastor coypus and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris in the Argentine Pampas

Corriale, María José; Pedelacq, Maria Eugenia; Guichón, M. Laura; Bilenca, David

doi:10.1007/s42991-020-00082-2

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Phenomena such as deforestation and agriculture expansion have benefited capybaras throughout their distribution range. The former creates open habitats in response to forest removal, which favors the species' occupation in previously unfavorable ecosystems (i.e., densely forested habitats), and the latter offers novel food resources, which subsidize population outbursts, situations that were observed in different regions (Campos‐Krauer & Wisely, 2011; Corriale et al, 2021; Ferraz et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The capybara is an herbivorous grazer, that is, that feeds mainly on grasses and other herbaceous vegetation (Moreira et al, 2013) but is also known to raid C 4 crops, such as sugarcane and corn (Ferraz et al, 2003). Habitat modification, particularly the expansion of agricultural land uses, has driven the species to occupy and increase their population in previously unfavorable areas (i.e., densely forested habitats; Campos‐Krauer & Wisely, 2011; Corriale et al, 2021; Ferraz et al, 2007), where they also find abundant food resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plasticity in resource use explains the persistence of the largest living rodent in anthropized environments

et al. 2023

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How organisms search for and obtain food is a determinant of their survival. It has been hypothesized that organisms facing food limitations might expand their dietary niche compared with optimal foraging conditions. Nonetheless, some organisms may reduce their dietary niche due to limiting resources. Here, we show the resource use plasticity of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest living rodent, in natural and anthropized environments of Brazil using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in hair. We assessed the resource use, size and overlap of isotopic niches, and the influence of body mass, age class, sex, and landscape composition on isotopic values among 13 capybara populations (210 individuals). We observed a wide variation in isotopic values of capybaras among and within populations in different environments. Surprisingly, diets varied from strictly C4‐based to strictly C3‐based, with most individuals feeding on C4 plants (65%). A substantial portion of individuals presented mixed diets (C3 and C4 plants), totaling 31% of the individuals, and few fed exclusively on C3 plants (4%). Isotopic niche size also varied among populations in both environments, with low overlap considering their core dietary niche. Capybara populations in natural environments had substantial incorporation of C3 resources, showing individuals with strictly C3 diets, and possibly relying on a high diversity of food items, while some populations in anthropized ones fed exclusively on C4 resources. Neither body mass, age class, sex, nor landscape composition significantly influenced isotopic values. Here, we provide evidence of the dietary plasticity of capybaras in different environments, transitioning from the consumption of C4 to C3 plants when needed, that is, from preferred to non‐preferred food items. Together with the species' behavioral plasticity, our results help explain its resilience in surviving, and even thriving, in both natural and human‐modified environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasticity in resource use explains the persistence of the largest living rodent in anthropized environments

et al. 2023

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“…Therefore, agricultural practices have also involved the creation of artificial ponds, irrigation ditches and water reservoirs for livestock, which represent new open water habitats. Despite playing a key role in the regulation of ecosystems, few studies have explored the effect of conversion and wetland loss on freshwater organisms (Bazzuri, Gabellone & Solari, 2020; Corriale et al, 2021) and less is known about the potential of artificial wetlands to support native species in agro‐ecosystems of central Argentina (Brandolin, Ávalos & de Angelo, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial aquatic habitats impoverish amphibian diversity in agricultural landscapes of central Argentina

Perrone

Deutsch

Bilenca

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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1. In central Argentina, agro-ecosystems constitute the dominant landscape, representing the replacement of extensive grassland areas by crops and pastures. Agriculture has caused the loss of extensive areas of Pampean inland wetlands through drainage and the construction of artificial aquatic habitats such as ditches and ponds. 2. This study evaluated the availability and amphibian breeding use of 194 natural and artificial open water habitats and identified those attributes that affect amphibian diversity (richness, abundance and species occurrence). 3. Interviews with farmers revealed that all artificial ditches, drainage channels and ponds were constructed directly or indirectly to support agricultural activities, and 61.5% of them were created at the expense of natural wetlands. The results from generalized linear mixed models) indicated a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in amphibian richness (14.2-35.7%) and abundance (35.3-86.6%) in artificial habitats compared with natural habitats. 4. Overall, vegetation cover, average depth and edge slope emerged as the most important attributes affecting amphibian diversity in artificial open water habitats.Vegetation cover had a significant (P < 0.05) positive influence on species richness and abundance, whereas average depth and edge slope had the opposite effect. 5. Given the substantial modification of inland wetlands in central Argentina, natural aquatic habitats should be considered top priorities for conservation, and law enforcement is urgently needed to control the drainage and levelling of lagoons, ponds and low-lying areas. The appropriate design and planning of constructed wetlands, including shallow depth and slightly sloping edges, could greatly improve the ability of artificial wetlands to favour native amphibians in these altered landscapes.6. Artificial wetlands could offer complementary habitats to natural habitats for amphibians and aquatic wildlife if actions leading to sustainable management and territorial planning are applied.

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Estimating risk to prevent damage: predicting and preventing coypu (Myocastor coypus) damage to transport infrastructure

Dondina,

Orioli,

Tirozzi

et al. 2024

Pest Management Science

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BACKGROUNDA major impact of the invasive Myocastor coypus in the introduction range is the collapse of riverbanks and nearby infrastructure, such as railway lines, due to the species' burrowing activities. As the ubiquitous implementation of preventive measures along watercourses is unfeasible, identifying susceptible areas is key to guide targeted management actions. This study used species‐habitat models to (i) identify the local environmental features of the railway line/watercourse intersections (RLWIs) that make them particularly susceptible to coypu damage, and (ii) predict species occurrence probability in a wide lowland‐hilly area of northern Italy (Lombardy) to identify priority areas for monitoring.RESULTSThe local scale models stressed that the RLWIs most susceptible to burrowing were those surrounded by arable lands with interspersed hedgerows locally characterized by high herbaceous vegetation and clay soil. In urbanized and intensive agricultural areas coypu dens were generally located significantly closer to the railway, increasing the collapse risk. The landscape‐scale species distribution model showed that lowland areas located along major rivers and lake shores, but also agricultural areas with a dense minor hydrographic network especially in the southeast of the study area, are more likely occupied by the species.CONCLUSIONThe local scale models shown that specific environmental characteristics increase the risk of burrowing near RLWIs. The landscape scale model allowed predicting which areas require thorough monitoring of RLWIs in search of such local characteristics to implement preventive management measures. The proposed model‐based framework can be applied to any geographical context to predict and prevent coypu damages.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Influence of land use and artificial water bodies on the habitat use of Myocastor coypus and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris in the Argentine Pampas

Cited by 6 publications

References 39 publications

Plasticity in resource use explains the persistence of the largest living rodent in anthropized environments

Plasticity in resource use explains the persistence of the largest living rodent in anthropized environments

Artificial aquatic habitats impoverish amphibian diversity in agricultural landscapes of central Argentina

Estimating risk to prevent damage: predicting and preventing coypu (Myocastor coypus) damage to transport infrastructure

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