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Activity patterns and habitat selection by terrestrial mammals in a mosaic landscape of silvopastoral system and forest fragments in the Andean piedmont in Colombia

Published Article

Colombia

Publication date: July 1, 2025

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Traditional ranching fragments Neotropical habitats, but silvopastoral systems (SPS) may offer alternative habitat for wildlife. In Colombia’s Andean piedmont, camera traps recorded 17 mammal species across SPS and nearby forest fragments. Five species used SPS—including Cerdocyon thous, found only there—while 12 species occurred exclusively in forest, including six carnivores. Two anteater species overlapped in forest but showed distinct activity patterns in SPS, and both selected SPS despite more frequent forest detections. These results indicate SPS can benefit certain mammals and alter species interactions, though forests remain critical for overall assemblage diversity.

Subject Tags

  • Forest
  • Agroforestry
  • Wildlife

Abstract

Traditional livestock ranching impacts biodiversity by fragmenting and isolating habitats first as habitat loss, then as habitat isolation, affecting local fauna that occupies native habitats that rely on forest. In degraded areas, silvopastoral systems (SPS) are an agroforestry practice that integrates trees and livestock and they could provide new habitats for this fauna, though their effects are not well understood for Neotropical mammalian assemblages. This study assessed habitat selection and activity patterns in the Andes piedmont of Colombia. Using camera traps, we evaluated records in an intervened area, which was located around two fragments of native forest. A total of 17 mammal species were recorded, with five species using the SPS, of which Cerdocyon thous was exclusive to the SPS, whereas 12 species were found only in the forest, including six carnivorous species. Two anteater species showed overlapping activity in the forest but different patterns in the SPS. Despite more anteater records in the forest, both species selected the SPS. These results suggest that SPS could benefit certain species and alter interactions among Neotropical mammals.

Citation

Moreno, G., Lizcano, D. J., & Sánchez, F. (2025). Activity patterns and habitat selection by terrestrial mammals in a mosaic landscape of silvopastoral system and forest fragments in the Andean piedmont in Colombia. Folia Oecologica, 52(2), 162-173. https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2025-0016

TNC Authors

  • Diego J. Lizcano
    The Nature Conservancy