Maria Eduarda Soares Alberti
The impact of human activities on the populations of Leopardus guttulus is poorly characterized, as well as aspects of population density and activity patterns of the species. This information has conservation implications, as the species is globally threatened. We aim to estimate the density of L. guttulus in the southernmost Atlantic Forest and ecotone with Pampa in southern Brazil.
Leopardus guttulus © Bird and Mammal Evolution, Systematics and Ecology Lab.
We will assess the relationship between the specie's density and vegetation cover, native forest, urbanization and agriculture. Additionally, we will investigate the activity patterns of L. guttulus and compare them with those of its potential prey, natural competitors and alien species. Along with this research, we are engaging local communities with the conservation of the species, through raising awareness activities.
Header: Ecotone area between the Atlantic Forest and the Pampa in southern Brazil (rural area of the municipality of Rio Pardo, Rio Grande do Sul state). © Maria Eduarda S. Alberti and Flávia P. Tirelli.