Landscapes Forest and Global Change - ESA - Escola Superior ...

N. Fracassi & D. Somma 2010. Participatory action research concerning the landscape use by a native cervid in a wetland
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remaining in areas mostly dominated by forestry plantations (D´Alessio et al. 2002). The
recently created Delta of the Paraná River Biosphere Reserve (MAB-UNESCO) currently
protects the nuclei inhabiting the undisturbed area. The two remaining nuclei, on the other hand,
are established in non-protected human-dominated areas where productive activities with low
sustainable management appear to be threatening the long-term persistence of the species.
The population status of the marsh deer in this wetland under current conditions is unknown
(Dellafiore and Maceira 1998). So, an evaluation of the main threats that affect this population
and the detection of how individuals use the various components of the altered landscape are
necessary. In turn, conservation strategy generated for the marsh deer can also bring
conservation benefits to other wild species and the whole Delta as well.
As the persistence of the species at the landscape level may depend on its adaptation to the
altered habitats and the attitude of the local people towards the deer, the aim of this study was to
evaluate the local people perception about how this cervid uses the landscape and which threats
are affecting the species.
2. Methodology
The study area covers around 500km 2 and is centred in the downstream area of the Lower Delta
of the Paraná River region (Buenos Aires province, Argentina). It includes the accretion portion
of the delta between Paraná de las Palmas and Paraná Guazú rivers. The Lower Delta region
(2,700km 2 ) has a temperate climate with a mean annual temperature of 289.96K, and an annual
rainfall of 1,073 mm. The hydrological regime is the result of the combined effects of the
Paraná river flow and the tidal pattern of the Del Plata estuary (Mujica 1979; Minotti et al.
1988). About 50% of the region is affected by human activities, mainly by the development of
Salicaceae plantations (Salix spp. –willow- and Populus spp. –poplar-) and tourist and
recreation activities (Kandus 1997).
This Delta holds the largest Salicaceae plantations in the country (Petray 2000) and this activity
constitutes the economically most significant in the region (SAGPyA 1999; Casaubón et al.
2001) with 75% of willow and 25% of poplar afforestations (Borodowski 2006). Before
planting, systematic work is carried out through the construction of canals and drainage ditches
of different sizes and / or construction of embankments along the coast (locally known as
“diques” and “atajarrepuntes”), which prevent entry of water from flooding (Casaubón et al.
2001). In the study area the poplar plantations are made for sawing wood, with large planting
spacing ranging from 6x2 m to 6x6 m (Poplar Commission 1985). The willow, on the other
hand, is used mainly for paper and particle board industries and plantations vary in spacing on
3x3 and 3x2 m. In the case of poplar, the understory foliage management implies keeping the
soil free of weeds.
The methodology was based on the interview to stakeholders (local people, producers, and land
managers). Six questions were included in the interview: 1) Area occupied by each habitat type
in the area of influence (e.g. ranch) of the interviewer; 2) Which habitat types are used by deers
to transit and feed; 3) Which habitats appear to be used by deers as refuges; 4) Did the
population decline in the last 10 years; 5) Which are the main threats for the deer population;
and 6) How can we contribute to the protection of the marsh deer.
Habitat types were divided into: 1) adult willow afforestations; 2) young willow afforestations;
3) adult poplar afforestations; 4) young poplar afforestations; 5) marshes; 6) Cattle pastures; 7)
afforestations without management or abandoned; 8) riparian native forests; 9) roads; and 10)
others. A habitat was considered as a refuge for deers when it was used by individuals to rest or
to escape from humans.
3. Results
Forest Landscapes and Global Change-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology
Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)
2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.