Ecological evaluation of mammals in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) crops of the Catatumbo Extraction Nucleus in the municipality of Tibú

Abstract

The monoculture of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) requires large extensions, in Norte de Santander it closed 2020 with more than 27,528 hectares planted, this expansion implies a transformation in the soil cover and therefore an affectation to the fauna and flora region of. The objective of the study was to ecologically evaluate palm farms, to identify the ground cover, in the presence-absence of mammals and to determine within these, the umbrella species. The land use coverages were identified through Landscape Ecology techniques and Geographic Information Systems, four land use coverages were determined, fauna monitoring was also carried out in palm farms; The inventory was carried out directly with tours in the palm farms and indirectly through interviews and the identification of traces such as footprints, feces, among others; In addition, monitoring was carried out with camera traps, with a monitoring effort of 1,004 nights. During the tours, 4 species of mammals were directly identified and through the other indirect methods 14 species were recorded for a total of 18 mammal species found, of these species four were identified as umbrella species: Puma concolor, Leopardus pardalis, Odocoileus virginianus and Cuniculus paca. It was concluded that there is a general ignorance about the biology of the mammalian species present in the study area, in addition to the need to develop and implement conservation plans that include the preservation of areas with high conservation value and the establishment of biological corridors in sectors highly urbanized.