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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.04.07.438794

Impact of ecotourism on abundance, diversity and activity pattern of medium-large terrestrial mammals at Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname

Ouboter, D. A.·Kadosoe, V. S.·Ouboter, P. E.
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Abstract

The impacts of ecotourism on biodiversity are poorly understood and the outcome of research is often contradictory. On the one hand ecotourism could impact the occurrence, survival or behavior of species, on the other hand ecotourism is often mentioned as providing a "human shield" by deterring negative practices like gold mining, logging and hunting. Brownsberg Nature Park is easily the most visited protected area of Suriname, with a high number of ecotourists visiting from abroad. A four-year study on the impact of ecotourism on medium-large terrestrial mammals was carried out between 2013 and 2016 using 16 camera trapping stations. The area has a clear gradient of tourism pressure, with the pressure decreasing further away from the lodging facilities. Evidently, the impacts of human presence on the mammal communities were more significant in the busiest areas. Most species avoided areas with many hikers or switched to a more nocturnal activity pattern. In these areas the impact was not reflected in species numbers, however it was causing a significant lowering of the diversity of mammals. On the other hand, vehicles had little impact on species avoidance or diversity, but did increase nocturnality even more than hikers. A few species seemed to be "attracted" by hikers and/or traffic. Giant armadillos and spotted pacas used the pools in the road created by traffic. Ocelots, margays and red-rumped agoutis seemed to favor human disturbance probably because of predator release. Some of the most impacted species were the jaguar, puma and lowland tapir, all three species with significant contribution to ecosystem balance. Their avoidance or even disappearance from highly human frequented areas could easily result in ecosystem changes in these areas. Management measures should focus on lowering the number of hikers in popular places and limiting the number of vehicles in recreational or tourist areas.

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Ouboter, D. A., Kadosoe, V. S., Ouboter, P. E.. 2021-04-07. Impact of ecotourism on abundance, diversity and activity pattern of medium-large terrestrial mammals at Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.07.438794

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