Diversity and Activity Patterns of Medium‐Sized and Large Terrestrial Mammals in Agroforests of a Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Region

TL;DR

Agroforests in the Peruvian Amazon can support many large mammals, but natural forests are better for conserving species richness and threatened animals.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into how agroforest structure affects the diversity and activity of large terrestrial mammals in the Amazon.

Findings

Agroforests supported 15 species, significantly fewer than natural forests.

Enhanced vegetation structure in agroforests increased their value as habitats for large mammals.

Five of the seven threatened species were found exclusively in forests.

Abstract

Agroforests offer potential for biodiversity conservation through a land‐sharing approach. However, it remains uncertain whether they can support medium‐sized and large forest‐dependent terrestrial mammals. We evaluated the diversity and activity patterns of such mammals in agroforests and natural forests in the northern buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon. For agroforests specifically, we examined the influence of connectivity to the core zone of the reserve, vegetation structure and human presence on mammal diversity and activity. In total, 21 species were recorded using camera traps. Agroforests supported 15 species, significantly fewer than neighbouring forests. Five of the seven threatened species were found exclusively in forests. Nonetheless, one third of the recorded species exhibited similar or higher trapping rates in agroforests, with
Tapirus terrestris
showing rates up to 6.3 times higher than in forests. The diurnality index across cathemeral species was significantly higher in agroforests adjacent to the protected area and marginally so in forests. In agroforests, mammal diversity increased with greater tree DBH, canopy cover and taller understorey vegetation. The trapping rate of Dasyprocta variegata also increased with total tree species richness. Agroforests along the Tambopata River can thus support a substantial number of medium‐sized and large terrestrial mammals. However, forests remain critical for conserving mammal species richness, particularly for those of urgent conservation concern. Enhanced vegetation structure in agroforests—particularly larger trees, a denser canopy, and taller understorey vegetation—can increase their value as a habitat for medium‐sized and large forest‐dependent terrestrial mammals.

We studied species richness and activity patterns of medium‐sized and large terrestrial mammals in agroforests located in the northern buffer zone of Tambopata National Reserve, Peru. The agroforests harboured a high number of mammal species, with species richness increasing alongside greater structural complexity of vegetation. However, forests supported significantly more species of medium‐sized and large terrestrial mammals, particularly those of high conservation concern.

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