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Abrahams, Mark I., Peres, Carlos A. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1588-8765 and Costa, Hugo C. M.
(2018)
Manioc losses by terrestrial vertebrates in western Brazilian Amazonia.
Journal of Wildlife Management, 82 (4).
pp. 734-746.
ISSN 0022-541X
Abstract
Tropical biodiversity benefits humanity. However, the costs of conserving topical biodiversity are largely borne by local communities. The damage caused by wild animals to human-cultivated plants (crop-raiding) in tropical ecosystems directly affects the livelihoods of local agriculturalists, which erodes their support for conserving biodiversity. We used data collected between 2013 and 2015 from 132 camera-trap stations and responses from 157 interviewees representing 47 semi-subsistence communities to quantify and contextualize terrestrial vertebrate crop-raiding damage to manioc (Manihot esculenta) agricultural fields (i.e., roçados) in the Médio-Juruá region of western Brazilian Amazonia. The 5 vertebrate species identified by respondents as the most damaging crop raiders were agoutis (Dasyprocta fuliginosa), collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu), pacas (Cuniculus paca), red brocket deer (Mazama americana), and spiny rats (family Echimyidae). These species were frequently detected by camera traps in early-successional forests. Respondents reported mean manioc stem losses to crop raiders of 7.3%/roçado. Proportional losses of more palatable manioc varieties were approximately 3 times higher than more phytochemically defended varieties, further constraining crop choice. Respondents estimated that in the absence of active crop-raider suppression, overall losses would have been 73.9%/respondent/annum, and therefore invested substantial effort in crop protection. Small communities, already economically disadvantaged by isolation from the material, service, and information monopoly of urban centers, were most affected by crop raiding. Although, the most damaging crop raiders are ideal candidates for sustainable subsistence hunting, we found only weak evidence of positive opportunities for agriculturalists to hunt crop raiders to compensate for crop losses. Our study indicated that crop raiding may continue to exacerbate the challenges inherent in tropical agriculture and represents a significant forest ecosystem disservice.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | amazonia,camera trapping,conservation,crop raiding,human–wildlife interactions,hunting,local perception,subsistence agriculture,wildlife damage management,ecology, evolution, behavior and systematics,ecology,nature and landscape conservation,sdg 15 - life on land ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1105 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Biology Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 29 May 2020 00:26 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Oct 2024 13:35 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/75367 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jwmg.21443 |
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