Anthropogenic landscape features affect the ground habitat use of Penelope superciliaris (Cracidae), a large seed disperser bird in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The expansion of agriculture and forest plantations over tropical biomes has caused significant species loss, while others persist in remnant native areas and anthropogenic lands. Penelope superciliaris, a large seed disperser bird, inhabits human-modified landscapes; however, its habitat use is poorly known. We investigated how native land covers, distance to water sources, and anthropogenic landscape features affect the species' ground habitat use in disturbed and undisturbed areas of three landscapes in Southeastern Brazil. We expected the species to use the ground more in native areas and near water sources because of the higher habitat quality. We collected presence-absence data during two dry seasons at 205 sampling stations with camera traps. Using occupancy models, we calculated the cumulative AICc weights of covariates for occupancy (interpreted as probability of use, Ψ) and detection (interpreted as frequency of use, p) parameters. The proportion of managed forests negatively influenced the species' frequency of use. The probability of use was higher when camera trap stations were located on unpaved roads. Model averaged prediction showed that the species uses about 56% of the landscapes. Our results suggest that intensively managed forests are not favorable or attractive habitats for the species. Unpaved roads associated with native vegetation edges may provide valuable habitats for the species during the dry season, possibly associated with movement and resource tracking. These findings may help guide conservation strategies in such modified landscapes, with caution in considering unpaved roads as secure habitats until further data on population abundance are available.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.