In:
Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée, PERSEE Program, Vol. 40, No. 1 ( 1998), p. 11-30
Abstract:
The short-term effects of forest fragmentation due to the Petit Saut hydroelectric dam in French Guiana were studied in both small terrestrial (lizards and mammals) and flying (birds and frugivorous bats) vertebrates. Both community structure and the species composition changed quickly in the fragmented area. The impact of fragmentation on abundance and species richness varied depending on the zoological group. However, a rapid decline in species diversity on small islands was observed as early as one year after flooding for small terrestrial mammals, bats and lizards, and two years for birds. These communities were often dominated by a few general ist species (Kentropyx calcarata for lizards, Proechimys cuvieri for small terrestrial mammals and Artibeus obscurus for frugivorous bats). These results show the rapid impact of forest fragmentation on small vertebrate communities. Other similar projects conducted in the Neotropics are briefly reviewed. These results underline the importance of maintaining research centered on conservation issues in French Guiana, considering the exceptional heritage value of these habitats.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0183-5173
DOI:
10.3406/jatba.1998.3659
Language:
French
Publisher:
PERSEE Program
Publication Date:
1998
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2847171-4
detail.hit.zdb_id:
3092112-0
SSG:
12
