KODKOD

Forecasting conservation needs for endangered fauna:integrating landscape ecology and ethnoecology to predict habitat quality for the kodkod cat (Leopardus guigna) in the Chilean temperate rainforest

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Habitat loss, alteration and fragmentation represent severe threats to biodiversity globally. Wild cats, which generally require large areas over which to forage, are particularly affected by fragmentation and human-felid conflicts. Whereas considerable research has been directed towards large carnivores, smaller more cryptic species have received comparatively little attention. The kodkod or güiña (Leopardus guigna) is the smallest of the neotropical cats and has one of the most restricted distributions known for felids occupying a narrow strip within south-central Chile and Argentina, the core area of indigenous Mapuche communities. The kodkod is classified as vulnerable by IUCN. Principal threats are habitat loss due to agricultural land use and retribution killing after attacks on poultry. The general aim of the project is to explore how projected future social and economic development of the fragmented and ethnically heterogeneous Araucanía region will affect habitat availability for the kodkod on private lands. An auto-ecological study will use radio-telemetry for the first time in the northern pre-Andean distribution range to assess habitat use, home range and activity patterns. An ethno-ecological study will provide understanding of the human environment context in which the kodkod lives. Through quantitative and qualitative interviews with Mapuche people and other socio-cultural groups of landowners knowledge and attitudes will be explored. Linking the ecological, ethnic and social information with geographic information, future land use scenarios will be modelled. This allows strategies to be identified for mitigating conflicts between the development process and habitat quality, and for the role of the kodkod as a cultural keystone species for use in conservation education. Training will be achieved in interdisciplinary aspects of biodiversity conservation (ethnoecology) and its methodologies (telemetry, Geographical Information Systems).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Fragmentation and loss of natural habitats are a threat to global biodiversity. Wild cats, which require large areas in which to hunt, are particularly affected by fragmentation and human-wildlife conflicts.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Although significant research has been conducted on large felids, less is known about smaller species such as the kodkod cat, the smallest cat of the Americas. The EU-funded project KODKOD (Forecasting conservation needs for endangered fauna: Integrating landscape ecology and ethnoecology to predict habitat quality for the kodkod cat (Leopardus guigna) in the Chilean temperate rainforest) studied the tolerance of this threatened species to human modification of temperate rainforest, its main habitat.

Researchers radio-tracked individual kodkods in the foothills of the Andes in the Araucania region of southern Chile to determine their home ranges, preferred habitats, and use of forest remnants. Monitoring with camera traps enabled scientists to assess the effects of habitat fragmentation per se.

Analysis of kodkod diet showed that they mainly consumed the long-tailed pygmy rice rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus). The rat is the principal host of hantavirus, which causes the deadly Hantavirus syndrome. Researchers also conducted interviews and questionnaires with landowners and indigenous Mapuche people to explore local knowledge and attitudes towards kodkods. In addition, they determined how school children perceive the animal through paintings and stories collected as a homework.

Scientists confirmed that the kodkod is a vulnerable forest specialist. However, they discovered that it can establish permanent territories in a fragmented landscape and adapt to new hunting grounds along the fragmented edges of the forest. The species is drawn to human habitation by the presence of rodent populations, but this risks conflict with human occupants and attacks by domestic dogs.

Data from the KODKOD project will be used by the Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG), which is responsible for wildlife management. It will also benefit environmental departments of the local municipalities and environmental non-governmental organisations. These policymakers were the target group for the final stakeholder workshop where a local action plan for kodkod conservation was discussed.

KODKOD identified strategies for landowners to improve kodkod habitat in impacted southern temperate rainforest. The project also promoted the value of kodkods through puppet videos and biocultural children books (bilingual in Spanish and indigenous Mapudungun) for use in regional schools.