Title
Seasonality and wildlife management in managed forests in eastern Bolivia / La estacionalidad y el manejo de vida silvestre en los bosques de producción del oriente de Bolivia. Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Author(s)
Robert B. Wallace; R. Lilian; E. Painter; Damián I. Rumiz; José C. Herrera
Published
2001
Publisher
Revista Boliviana de Ecología y Conservación Ambiental
Abstract
Tropical forests managed for long-term production have the potential for maintaining much of their biodiversity, but they need the application of sustainable management practices developed for specific scenarios. In order to suggest such practices, this essay examines aspects of forest ecology in eastern Bolivia and resource availability for their vertebrate fauna (mainly frugivores). Recent field studies showed how seasonality influences the availability of water and fleshy fruits, important for wildlife. A list of 141 plant species belonging to 54 families that act as fruit or flower food sources for mammals and birds is provided. Some of these (25 species at one site) probably represent keystone resources for frugivores because they are available when other fruits are scarce. Some sites with riverine forest, lagoons, and rocky outcrops represent critical habitats because they concentrate these scarce resources. Forest management can be guided to reduce negative impacts on wildlife by identifying and protecting key resources and habitats in management plans. / Tropical forests under long-term forest management have the potential to conserve high biological diversity, but require the development and application of sustainable management practices appropriate to specific scenarios. To suggest such practices, this paper examines aspects of the ecology of eastern Bolivian forests in relation to the availability of resources for their vertebrate fauna [especially frugivores]. Recent studies show how seasonality limits the temporal availability of water and important fleshy fruits as food for the fauna. They list 141 plant species from 54 families whose fruits or flowers are consumed by mammals and birds. Some of these plants (25 spp at one site) probably constitute "key resources" for frugivores because they are available when other fruits are scarce. Some sites with riparian forest, ponds, rocky outcrops, represent "critical habitats" because they concentrate these scarce resources. Forest harvesting can be guided to reduce negative impacts on wildlife by incorporating measures such as identification and protection of key resources and critical habitats into management plans.
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PUB35811