Connecting worlds: indigenous territories, habitat suitability and conservation of the three large carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) of Oaxaca, Mexico

Authors

  • Emilia Guerrero-Montes de Oca Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • Camilo Gómez Hoyos Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, CES University.
  • Fabián Mejía Franco Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, CES University.
  • Francisco Javier Botello López Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • Víctor Sánchez-Cordero Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • Andrés Arias-Alzate Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, CES University, Phd Proffesor.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15451/ec2021-07-10.26-1-21

Keywords:

Indigenous communities, Habitat suitability, Oaxaca

Abstract

Human and wildlife conflicts pose conservation challenges for several charismatic species worldwide. Given their close long-standing interactions with wildlife, indigenous communities set an interesting framework to identify factors establishing these relationships. The first step is to account the perceptions and symbolisms of indigenous communities to define and complement conservation efforts. We used multi-temporal and multi-criteria analyses to assess species habitat suitability of three large carnivores (jaguar, puma, and coyote), and quantified the overlap with the Mixtec and Zapotec indigenous territories in southern Mexico. We observed a positive and proactive relationship between indigenous communities’ self-identification and a high species habitat suitability for the conservation of these large carnivores in the Sierra Norte, Sierra Sur, Coastal, and Mixtec regions. Given that most of these areas occur outside natural protected areas, the inclusion of indigenous communities in the management and planning of their territory is crucial for preserving their ethnocentric vision and ensuring long-term conservation of these charismatic large carnivores and their habitat.

Author Biographies

Emilia Guerrero-Montes de Oca, Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Zoology department, M. Sc.

Camilo Gómez Hoyos, Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, CES University.

M. Sc.

Fabián Mejía Franco, Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, CES University.

M. Sc.

Francisco Javier Botello López, Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Phd.

Víctor Sánchez-Cordero, Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Department of zoology, Phd and Full-time Proffesor.

Andrés Arias-Alzate, Faculty of Science and Biotechnology, CES University, Phd Proffesor.

Phd

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07/05/2021

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Guerrero-Montes de Oca, E., Gómez Hoyos, C., Mejía Franco, F., Botello López, F. J., Sánchez-Cordero, V., & Arias-Alzate, A. (2021). Connecting worlds: indigenous territories, habitat suitability and conservation of the three large carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora) of Oaxaca, Mexico. Ethnobiology and Conservation, 10. https://doi.org/10.15451/ec2021-07-10.26-1-21

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