Abstract

RIVERA-RIVERA, Emerenciano; ENRIQUEZ, Paula L.; FLAMENCO-SANDOVAL, Alejandro  and  RANGEL-SALAZAR, José Luis. Occupancy and abundance of nocturnal raptors (Strigidae) in the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2012, vol.83, n.3, pp.742-752. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.21364.

Evaluation of occupancy explains the spatial distribution of species in the community and is important to develop conservation strategies. We evaluated occupancy and abundance patterns of nocturnal raptors in 2 sites with different level of heterogeneity (landscape structure and composition) in the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve. Through point counts and owl playback callings we estimate occupancy and abundance patterns. We explored possible relationships between patterns of recorded species and structural habitat attributes using generalized linear models. Occupancy and abundance spatial variation was explained by structural habitat characteristics (i.e., tree height, distance to human settlements and open areas) at local scale, and spatial heterogeneity (2 or more habitats) at landscape scale. We found species-specific relationships with old growth forest attributes, so we suggest a sustainable landscape management that promotes old growth forest conservation and thus persistence of threatened forest species.

Keywords : heterogeneity; landscape; optimal habitat; persistence; species.