Recolonización del tapir de montaña (tapurus pinchaque) en el sector Pondoa, zona de amortiguamento del parque nacional Sangay: indicios del retorno post-proceso eruptivo del volcán Tungurahua.

Abstract

Abstract: The occupancy of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) and its relationship with environmental and anthropogenic variables in the Pondoa sector, a buffer zone of Sangay National Park, was evaluated in the absence of scientific information following the eruption of the Tungurahua volcano. Records obtained through camera trapping were used, based on nine camera traps distributed in 1 km² cells, with continuous sampling over 50 days. The probability of occupancy and detection of the species was estimated using single-season occupancy models, incorporating forest cover, the proportion of pastures, and human pressure associated with human traffic as covariates. Seventeen detection events were recorded in six of the nine cells evaluated, with an average occupancy probability of close to 0.70. Occupancy was higher in cells with high forest cover and low human pressure, while lower values were associated with areas with greater landscape transformation and frequent traffic. The results confirm the recolonization of the mountain tapir and generate an ecological baseline for conservation and adaptive management.