Conservation value of forest fragments for medium-sized carnivores in a silvopastoral system in Colombia

Silvopastoral cattle ranching is seen as a viable land use management system, which unlike traditional land use systems preserve forested areas and prevent loss of important habitats for carnivores. We evaluated carnivore abundance and habitat use in a 50-year silvopastoral system located in the Cordoba department, Caribbean region of Colombia. Transects and track plots were established both in forest fragments and pastures within the silvopastoral system and were sampled for carnivore signs. Crab-eating raccoon, Crab-eating fox, and Gray fox were the most abundant species and showed higher preference for forest than pastures. Our results reflect the importance of forest cover within livestock systems and highlight the potential of these land use systems for carnivore and tropical dry forest conservation in fragmented landscapes.