Analysis of Andean bear activity patterns and habitat use in paramo ecosystems in Southern Ecuador

Bc. Anna Bernátková

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Andean bear (Treamarctos ornatus) is the only species of the Ursidae family still present in South America and is considered to be a key species in its habitat. Andean bear is listed as vulnerable by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is threatened by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflicts. Thus knowledge on activity patterns, diet preferences and availability of sources of feed is essential for further management of the species. The objective of this study was to improve the knowledge on the habitat use of Andean bear in Loja province, Southern Ecuador by combining research on all the factors above mentioned. First aim was to determine abundance of signs of Andean bear activity in two ecosystems: forest and páramo. Five plots were established in each of three study sites in forest and in three study sites in páramo. Secondly, the abundance of Bromeliads in the same study sites was determined. Third aim was to determine the correlations between abundance of Bromeliads, nutritional composition of Bromeliads and signs of activity of Andean bears in the three forest study sites. Finally, the percentage of Bromeliads in faeces collected during the sign survey was analyzed. Results showed that in forest ecosystem signs of Andean bear activity were significantly more abundant than in páramo ecosystems. No correlation was found between the abundance of Bromeliads, their nutritional composition (except for protein) and signs of activity of Andean bears in the forest ecosystem. There was a negative correlation between abundance of signs of Andean bear activity and protein content of Bromeliads, and positive correlation between percentage representation of Tillandsia sp. in faeces and protein content of Bromeliads in the forest. Interpretation of these results is complicated by an apparent homogeneity of the studied ecosystems, because no significant difference was found in the abundance of signs of Andean bear activity, and in the abundance of Bromeliads among forest study sites. Analysis in faecal samples of the use of Bromeliads by the species showed significantly higher amount of epiphytic Tillandsia sp. than ground páramo Puya sp. suggesting that forest Bromeliad species were favoured as a source of feed by the Andean bears. Further research on activity patterns, diet preferences, and availability and quality of feed sources of Andean bear is essential for comprehensive determination of Andean bear habitat use.

Keywords

Bromeliads, diet preferences, habitat use, signs of activity, Spectacled bear

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 25. 4. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Francisco Ceacero Herrador, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Wildlife Management in the Tropics and Subtropics