Banca de DEFESA: HUGO ADRIANO MABILANA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE: HUGO ADRIANO MABILANA
DATA: 25/01/2023
HORA: 14:00
LOCAL: PRESENCIAL
TÍTULO:

LARGE HERBIVORES TESTING ECOLOGICAL CONNECTIVITY APPROACHES IN MOZAMBICAN LANDSCAPES: A CONSERVATION PLANNING CONTRIBUTION

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:

Network analysis, connectivity, circuit theory

PÁGINAS: 70
GRANDE ÁREA: Ciências Biológicas
ÁREA: Ecologia
SUBÁREA: Ecologia Aplicada
RESUMO:

Two complementary studies with contribution to conservation planning in two pairs of protected areas located in Mozambique are presented. The first tests the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) role as an umbrella species. Although it has not yet been completely proven, the elephant is considered an umbrella species, meaning that conservation efforts can lead to improved protection of a large number of other mammals as well as natural landscapes. The second study involves connectivity assessments for seven species of large herbivores including the African elephant between two pairs of protected areas: (1) Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) and Quirimbas National Park (QNP) in the Northern Mozambique & (2) Gorongosa National Park (GNP) and Marromeu National Reserve (MNR) in the Central Region. In QNP & NSR pair, even with their proximity, yet their connectivity was not yet proven. Thouless et al., (2016) make reference to a so-called “Quirimbas Corridor” covering the area inbetween the two Protected areas. For MNR & GNP there is a political will to formally unite both protected areas again, with no evidence of their connectedness to time. For both pairs, circuit theory was used to test their connectivity. Co-occurrence networks analysis were used for African elephant in relation to five other species of large herbivores in three protected areas: GNP, MNR and NSR. Data from aerial counts of mammals intermittently collected from the 1960s to 2021 were used. Co-occurring events were summarized into interaction networks matrices. Two metrics were estimated per year in each protected areas: the weighted connectance to characterize the herbivore communities and species strength to estimate species influence over herbivore community. Weighted connectance estimate was consistent with the history of disturbances due to civil war in Mozambique (1976-92), as well as with recovery trends recorded in GNP. MNR, revealed an improvement trend confirmed by it metrics as well as seasonality and extreme meteorological events (cyclone IDAI) sensitivity. For connectivity evaluations: aerials census data from 2000-2021 divided per decade were used as occurrence to train and validates species distribution models (sdm) using Maxent software. Sdm´s, generated from bioclimatic, landscape and socio-economic variables, were used as resistance sufaces, testing connectivity between both pairs through Circuitscape software. Critical connectivity was mapped for it. Critical connectivity is estimating selecting the ten percent less resistant areas in between protected areas. Ecological connectivity is confirmed with spatial continuity between protected areas through critical connectivity areas. There is reduction trend in connectivity for both pairs from 2000 decade to 2010. For QNP and NSR all tested species presented spatial continuity, contrasting with GNP and MSR where none of the tested species presented it. No sufficient evidence on the umbrella species role of African elephants through species metrics comparisons. Weighted connectance reveal potential tool for monitoring protected areas in post-disturbance recovery processes. Connectivity between QNP and NSR using great herbivores species is unequivocal, and consistent with previously delineated Quirimbas corridor. GNP and MSR Weren’t through critical connectivity delineation, although there are no evidence on their connectedness impossibility.

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Externo à Instituição - THADEU SOBRAL DE SOUZA - UFMT (Suplente)
Externo à Instituição - NELSON HENRIQUE DE ALMEIDA CURI - UNILAVRAS (Membro)
Presidente - MARCELO PASSAMANI (Membro)
Externo ao Programa - LETICIA MARIA VIEIRA - DBI/ICN (Membro)
Interno - JULIO NEIL CASSA LOUZADA (Suplente)
Externo à Instituição - CLARISSA ALVES DA ROSA - INPA (Membro)
Interno - CLARA BENTES GRILO - ULISBOA (Membro)