@misc{10481/62529,
year = {2020},
month = {1},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10481/62529},
abstract = {Knowledge of population dynamics of threatened species in the wild is key to effective conservation actions. However, at present, there are many examples of endangered animals
for which their current situation is unknown, and not just in remote areas and less developed
countries. We have explored this topic by studying the paradigmatic case of the European
wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), an endangered small carnivore whose status has been
subjectively established on the basis of non-systematic approaches and opportunistic records. Little is known about its demographic situation, prompting the need for information to
improve conservation measures. However, the secretive behaviour of felines along with its
low density in natural conditions have prevented the gathering of sufficient data. We developed a field sampling strategy for one of the largest populations (Andalusia, South Spain,
87,268 km2
), based on a logistically viable systematic non-intrusive survey by camera-trapping. This study offers the first large-scale estimation for any European wildcat population,
based on analytical approaches applied on Species Distribution Models. A hierarchical
approach based on a Maxent model for distribution estimation was used, along with Generalised Linear Models for density estimation from explicit spatial capture-recapture data. Our
results show that the distribution range is smaller and more highly fragmented than previously assumed. The overall estimated density was very low (0.069 ±0.0019 wildcats/km2
)
and the protected areas network seems to be insufficient to cover a significant part of the
population or a viable nucleus in demographic terms. Indeed, the most important areas
remain unprotected. Our main recommendations are to improve the protected area network
and/or vigilance programs in hunting estates, in addition to studying and improving connectivity between the main population patches.},
organization = {The research was partially funded by
the Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación
del Territorio (www.juntadeandalucia.es >
medioambiente > site > portalweb) through the
European Union (FEDER Project http://www.
juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/site/portalweb/
menuitem.6ffc7f4a4459b86a1daa5c105510e1c/?
vgnextoid=05cf8706a8bb9510VgnVCM10000013
25e50aRCRD&vgnextchannel=05cf8706a8bb9510
VgnVCM1000001325e50aRCRD) and is part of the
Global Change Observatory of Sierra Nevada
(https://digibug.ugr.es/handle/10481/54686). J.M.
G.-S. was supported by a Prometeo fellowship
from the SENESCYT and the national agency for
Education and Science of the Government of
Ecuador (https://www.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/
prometeo/). There aren’t specific grant numbers or
funding from commercial companies. The funders
had no role in study design, data collection and
analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the
manuscript.},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
title = {Fragmentation and low density as major conservation challenges for the southernmost populations of the European wildcat},
doi = {10.1371/journal. pone.0227708},
author = {Gil Sánchez, José María and Barea Azcón, José Miguel and López Jaramillo, Francisco Javier},
}