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Connecting Colombia's protected areas: Using a functional approach for tapir species.
Federico Mosquera-Guerra1,2,3, Sebastian Barreto2, Juan D Palencia-Rivera3
1Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad Andino Amazónica (INBIANAM), Universidad de Amazonia (UA), Florencia, Colombia.
Plos One
|May 9, 2025
Summary
Colombia
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Biodiversity Management
Background:
- Colombia ranks fourth globally in mammal biodiversity, with three Tapirus species identified.
- Human activities have transformed nearly half of Colombia's ecosystems, impacting wildlife.
- Ecological connectivity is crucial for conserving threatened species like tapirs within protected areas (PAs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To model ecological connectivity for tapir species in Colombia.
- To identify critical areas for conservation and restoration to enhance PA effectiveness.
- To guide management strategies for facilitating tapir movement in human-modified landscapes.
Main Methods:
- Developed species distribution models for tapirs.
- Created movement resistance surfaces and mapped least-cost corridors (LCCs).
- Utilized circuit and least-cost models to assess conservation priorities and estimate Equivalent Connected Area (ECA).
Main Results:
- Generated a national-level assessment of functional connectivity priorities for tapirs.
- Identified key areas for conservation and restoration to improve landscape connectivity.
- Quantified the impact of connectivity on protected area effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Connectivity models provide essential data for tapir conservation and landscape management in Colombia.
- Prioritizing identified areas can enhance the effectiveness of protected areas and support global biodiversity goals.
- Implementing targeted conservation and restoration actions is vital for tapir survival and ecosystem health.
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