Anthropogenic influences on the distribution of a threatened apex-predator around sustainable-use reserves following hydropower dam installation

PeerJ

article

Deborah C. Dávila Raffo¹  Darren Norris²  Sandra Maria Hartz¹  Fernanda Michalski² 

[1] Postgraduate Programme in Ecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul;Ecology and Conservation of Amazonian Vertebrates Research Group, Federal University of Amapá;School of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Amapá;Postgraduate Programme in Tropical Biodiversity, Federal University of Amapá;Pro-Carnivores Institute

关键词: Carnivore;    Dam;    Freshwater ecosystems;    Human impacts;    Reservoir;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.14287

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Although previous studies demonstrate declines in many large bodied species following hydropower dam installation, others suggest that some species, including the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) may return to newly created reservoir habitats. Yet, there is a lack of evidence to support such theories. Here, we analyzed the effects of a hydropower dam on giant otters using a before-after control-impact study design in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. We collected data 3 years before (2011–2012 and 2015) and after (2017–2019) dam construction, totaling 6,459 km of surveys along rivers with 43 direct sightings of giant otters. Contrary to expectations, our results revealed that giant otters did not remain nor did they return to the dam reservoir. Beyond the zone directly impacted by the dam giant otter occurrence and relative abundance declined next to sustainable-use reserves where the river was more intensely used by people. Our study showed that in the absence of active management sustainable-use reserves and low human density were not sufficient to maintain this apex-predator. Our findings suggest a need to proactively create and maintain areas with low levels of anthropogenic disturbance to enable sustainable coexistence between energy demands and biodiversity across Amazonia.

【 授权许可】

CC BY