Non-invasive monitoring of indigenous and domesticated predators on the border of forest and cultural landscape
Investigators: Bogdan Vlastimil, Ing., Jůnek Tomáš, Mgr., Anděl Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc.,
The Philippines is known for high biodiversity of especially smaller forms of vertebrates associated with a high proportion of endemic species. The original fauna is endangered not only by the destruction of environment but also by introduced species such as domesticated predators. To what extent, however, is not explained. The research project aims to find out how often and how far cats and dogs penetrate the primary rainforest of Rajah Sikatuna National Park from human settlements. Also, it focuses on how often the native species of carnivores, such as Malay civet (Viverra tangalunga) and Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), visit the cultural landscape. We used non-invasive monitoring method of camera-trapping positioned on the most frequently used trails in the primary forest, along its border with agricultural land and within various forms of cultural landscape. This method also enabled the general inventory of the terrestrial fauna occurring within the area. The new findings, this study brings, can serve as an important tool in the development of management plans for the native fauna of the Philippine fauna.
Publications:
BOGDAN, Vlastimil; JŮNEK, Tomáš; JŮNKOVÁ VYMYSLICKÁ, Pavla. Temporal overlaps of feral cats with prey and competitors in primary and human-altered habitats on Bohol Island, Philippines. PeerJ, 2016, 4: e2288. https://peerj.com/articles/2288/
Grants:
The project was financially supported by grants GA FZP, reg. No. 20144257, and GA FZP, reg. No. 20134247, provided by the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.