DEMARIA, M. R., Mc SHEA, W.J., KOY, K. & MACEIRA, O. (2004)
Pampas deer conservation with respect to habitat loss and protected area considerations in San Luis, Argentina.
Biological Conservation 115, Heft 1: 121-130.
Abstract:
Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer is the most endangered subspecies of pampas deer. Although common in the Argentine Pampas 100 years ago, it persists in only two small populations. The largest population has survived due to the rarity of roads, internal farm subdivisions, and the low cattle density. However, habitat condition for this population has changed dramatically in the last 16 years. Five Landsat images (1985, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2001), covering 4608 km2, were used to quantify pampas deer habitat loss due to the replacement of natural grassland by exotic pastures and crops. Image classification showed that natural grassland cover was reduced from 84.5 to 37.8% between 1985 and 2001. The annual transformation rate increased significantly from 1.4 to 10.9%. Average paddock size was significantly reduced from 1470 to 873 ha, and the number of paddocks increased from 129 to 227. The land within this area proposed for a national park has not escaped these habitat changes. In the last 6 years the amount of replaced area within the proposed park has increased from 9.1 to 51.1% due to actions by ranchers to avoid inclusion within park boundaries. Three patches of natural grassland still remain within the pampas deer distribution, one of which is the proposed national park. The implementation of a national park is a decisive challenge for the survival of pampas deer and its habitat in Argentina.
Pampas deer conservation with respect to habitat loss and protected area considerations in San Luis, Argentina.
Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222407743_Pampas_deer_conservation_with_respect_to_habitat_loss_and_protected_area_considerations_in_San_Luis_Argentina [accessed Nov 17 2017].
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