Simulation of the behavior of the Leopardus guigna using random walkers

TL;DR

This paper presents a simulation method using random walkers to model guigna cats' territorial behavior, aiding in estimating their movement patterns and interactions with lethal risks for conservation efforts.

Contribution

It introduces a novel simulation approach to estimate guigna movement and risk interactions using random walkers and satellite imagery, addressing data scarcity.

Findings

Simulated distribution of guigna positions in a territory.

Estimated mean distances traveled by guignas.

Identified high-risk areas for guignas interactions.

Abstract

Considering that there is very little information on the behavior habits of guigna cats, as well as investigations in which small populations are captured to place radiocollars on them and then release them in the place where they were captured, which is done with the intention of collecting data on their positions in a territory and thus make estimates of the mean distances they usually travel. Under the hypothesis that guignas maintain a sedentary behavior in a specific area of a given territory, this paper shows one way to simulate a distribution of points in a territory using random walkers to emulate the distribution of the data that would be obtained by placing radiocollars in a population of guignas, with which it is possible to make estimates of the mean distances that move away from a certain fixed position, and the interactions they can have with points in the territory that represent a high probability of lethality, such as farms, packs of dogs, roads, urban areas, etc. It is necessary to mention that by estimating the possible interactions that a guignas population may have with possible predators in a territory with the help of a satellite image, it is possible to evaluate the points of a territory that represent a potentially lethal risk for the guignas, and thus generate relocation strategies that help preserve them.