Abstract

NAVARRO P, Jonathan  and  GOMEZ L, Alexander. Terrestrial mammal diversity in forests close to pine-apple crops, Cutris San Carlos, Costa Rica. Cuadernos de Investigación UNED [online]. 2015, vol.7, n.1, pp.58-65. ISSN 1659-4266.

Pineapple crops reduce the size of forest fragments and generate pressure on biodiversity in the remnants. To determine potential negative effects of forest fragmentation we assessed diversity and composition of terrestrial mammals in forest patches on three farms under pineapple crops. We placed Sherman and Tomahawk traps, footprints traps near water bodies, and made daily tracks to obtain traces and direct observation of mammals. We identified seven species of wild mammals, mostly omnivorous and under a least concern conservation status. The effect of cover type generated by the pineapple crops is consistent with mammal composition. Pineapple crops could enhance the most common wildlife problems, such as predator-prey relationships. Therefore, pineapple plantations, by causing fragmentation and lack of connectivity among forest patch es, threaten extinction of mammals in some of their original range.

Keywords : terrestrial mammals; forest patches; diversity; fragmentation; pineapple.

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