*2.2.1 Biological and ecological assessments of Masto fauna biodiversity*

Field expeditions were carried out covering most of the territory of influence of the populated settlements between the communities of Río Negro (Tungurahua) and

#### *Conservation Status of Macro Mammals in the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109332*

Boayaku (Pastaza), in the area that forms part of CELS and the upper subbasin of the Anzu River. These expeditions are part of the baseline diagnosis that allows, on the one hand, to determine the conservation status of the visited sites, and, on the other hand, to identify potential sampling sites for monitoring with camera traps, taking into account variables such as proximity to population centers, connectivity of habitats and ecosystems, logistical and operational aspects. In each outing, a multidisciplinary team carried out a rapid biological and ecological assessment of the state of conservation of the environment in terms of large fauna (macro mammals).

The information was collected in structured biological and ecological characterization sheets, obtaining records of direct and indirect observations (feces, footprints in tracks, diet, etc.). Interviews were conducted with local guides and members of the communities and the study localities were geo-referenced as well as different points of interest such as areas of faunal abundance and salt licks, among others.

In total, 18 field inspections were conducted, completing 36 effective sampling days from August to March, before COVID-19 pandemic time, at 6 locations with an average of 30 km of trails, with permanent sites for direct and indirect record monitoring, thus determining the best sites for camera trap installation, track recording and field observations.

#### *2.2.2 Macro mammal monitoring with camera traps*

Photo-trapping monitoring was carried out using Bushnell Trophy Cam HD camera traps placed along field transects to obtain information on the presence/ absence of large mammals such as the Andean tapir, Amazonian tapir, Andean bear, puma, and panthera, among others, considered indicator species of the quality and conservation of the environment in the study area. The cameras were placed at intervals of 20–40 days in the fields in order to identify potential areas of mammal flow and occurrence of indicator species (presence/absence), among other aspects.

#### *2.2.3 Interviews about use and pressure on macro mammals*

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the field guides and communities members with whom we worked during the study. In this way, it was possible to complement the record of species that could not be directly observed during the fieldwork and to learn about their use, conservation status, socio-cultural pressure, and trends in land use and exploitation that generate pressures on the environment and the conservation of large mammals.

### **3. Results**

#### **3.1 Macro mammals' communities in the study area**

Analysis of fieldwork records and interviews with local people yielded a richness of 35 species of large and medium-sized mammals for the study area (**Table 2**). The Order Carnivora is the best represented with 11 species, the family Felidae the most numerous with 5 species, followed by the family Mustelidae (*n* = 3), Procyonidae (*n* = 2), and Ursidae with only 1 species. Order Rodentia is the second more numerous with 7 species, corresponding to Family Sciuridae (*n* = 3), followed by Dasyproctidae (*n* = 2); Erethizontidae and Cuniculidae have 1 species each. The Order Primates has 5 species: Family Atelidae (*n* = 2), Cebidae, Callitrichidae, and Aotidae (*n* = 1). Order Artiodactyla (2 Families) and Pilosa (4 Families) have 4 species each; Perissodactyl (*n* = 2); Lagomorpha and Cingulate were represented by only 1 species.

In reference to [8], for 2021, according to the threatened categories reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are 2 species in Critically Endangered (CR), 8 species in Endangered (EN), 3 Vulnerable (VU) in the extinction risk. Also, 8 species are in Near Threatened (NT) status and 13 species in the Least Concern (LC); there are Data Deficient (DD) for 1 spicies (**Table 2**).

Condensing data from all sampled localities by the number of records per species, the Andean tapir (*Tapirus pinchaque*) obtained the highest number of records, followed by the tigrillo (*Leopardus tigrinus*), Amazonian cuchucho (*Nasua nasua*), guanta (*Cuniculus paca*), and armadillo (*Dasypus novemcintus*), among the most abundant.

The record of richness by study locality placed the Cabeceras del Anzu as the area with the highest species diversity, followed by Sacha Llanganates and the lower part of the Anzu River corresponding to Boayaku–Flor de Bosque, as detailed below.

### *3.1.1 Río Encanto*

A total of 21 species were registered belonging to 6 orders and 16 families. The most abundant orders being Carnivora (*n* = 7) and Rodentia (*n* = 4), followed by Artyodactyla (*n* = 4), Primates (*n* = 3), Pilosa (*n* = 2), and Perissodactyla (*n* = 1).

### *3.1.2 San Jacinto las Palmas*

In San Jacinto were recorded 15 species of mammals, represented by 6 orders and 10 families. The most abundant order being Carnivora (*n* = 8), followed by Rodentia (*n* = 2), Primates (*n* = 2), and Artyodactyla (*n* = 1), Pilosa (*n* = 1), and Perissodactyla (*n* = 1).

#### *3.1.3 Sacha Llanganates*

A total of 19 mammal species were recorded, grouped into 6 orders and 14 families. The order with the highest diversity being Carnivora (*n* = 7), followed by Primates (*n* = 5), Rodentia (*n* = 3), Pilosa (*n* = 2), and Artyodactyla (*n* = 1), and Perissodactyla (*n* = 1).

### *3.1.4 Cabeceras del Anzu*

A total of 30 species of mammals were recorded in this location, belonging to 8 orders and 19 families, the most representative was Carnivora with 10 species, followed by Primates (*n* = 5), Rodentia (*n* = 5), Artyodactyla (*n* = 4), Pilosa (*n* = 2), Perissodactyla (*n* = 2), Lagomorpha (*n* = 1), and Cingulata (*n* = 1).

### *3.1.5 Boayaku and Flor de Bosque*

At these two localities, corresponding to the lower Anzu River, 22 species of mammals were recorded, belonging to 7 orders, and 16 families. The most representative orders


*Conservation Status of Macro Mammals in the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109332*



**Table 2.** *Large mammal's species reported from localities in the CELS and Anzu River subbasin.*

*Conservation Status of Macro Mammals in the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109332*

being Carnivora with 6 species and Rodentia with 4 species. Order Primate has 3 records, Artyodactyla (*n* = 3), Pilosa (*n* = 3), Perissodactyla (*n* = 1), and Cingulata (*n* = 1).

#### **3.2 Conservation status of macro mammals in the study area**

The six study localities maintain faunal mass communities in a good state of conservation. Taking into account the main groups of herbivores and carnivores expected for the region, representative species were recorded in all sites, demonstrating a relative balance in the food chain and trophic niche of the community. However, there are specific variations in species composition and abundance for each locality, a result of the large altitudinal variation, microclimate, and range of anthropogenic pressures for each sampling site.

Localities in the lower zone are exposed to greater hunting pressure and habitat conversion due to their proximity to communities and population centers, while localities in the upper zone are home to a greater number of records belonging to threatened species due to the difficult topography, vegetation connectivity, proximity to the Llanganates and Sangay National Parks, as well as conservation initiatives developed in the area by different actors.

In terms of threatened categories formulated with IUCN criteria, according to [9], there are 10 globally threatened macro mammal's species in the red list of mammals of Ecuador for 2011 (**Table 3**), corresponding to Endangered (*n* = 5) and Vulnerable (*n* = 5).

The IUCN categories applied in the Red Book of Mammals of Ecuador for 2021 [8], increase to 13 species in risk (**Table 3**): Critically Endangered (*n* = 1), Endangered (*n* = 8), and Vulnerable (*n* = 4). From 2011 to 2021, two species reduce risk, evolving from Endangered to Vulnerable, and from Vulnerable to Near Threatened. One species increases the risk from Vulnerable to Endangered and 4 species are considered Near Threatened in 2011 appears increasing the risk to Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable.

The most threatened species for 2021 is the mountain tapir *T. pinchaque*, considered Critically Endangered (CR). *T. pinchaque* is one of the species with the highest number of records in the localities of Río Encanto and San Jacinto, these being strategic sites for the conservation of species in the region. Those places are also important sites for the life area of the spectacled bear (*Tremarctos ornatus*), which is considered Endangered (EN).

In the middle and lower zone, the localities of Cabeceras del Anzu, Boayaku, and Flor de bosque present eventual records of the Amazonian tapir (*Tapirus terrestris*) considered Endangered (EN), so it is a threatened species whose long-term viability depends on the plans and programs that can be implemented to ensure the conservation of this and other species that are indicators of healthy ecosystems.

#### **3.3 Ecological aspects of indicator species in the study area**

The mammal community in the studied localities is composed of 11 species of carnivores of which 5 species are the main predators. Also, the spectacled bear *T. ornatus* is a typical species of cloud forest and Andean moorlands whose presence in the lower localities may be due to seasonal variations in its distribution, as generally in winter the animals tend to descend to warmer areas in search of food.

During the surveys carried out in the localities of San Jacinto, Rio Encanto, and Sacha Llanganates, several species of palms belonging to the genera *Aiphanes*, *Conservation Status of Macro Mammals in the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109332*


#### **Table 3.**

*Threatened macro mammals according to the Red Book of Ecuadorian Mammals for 2011 [9], compared with 2021 [8].*

*Ceroxylum*, *Geonoma*, and *Dictyocarium* were observed being consumed by the bear. In addition, some trees of the genus *Vizmia* were observed used exclusively by males for gurgling and possibly to mark territory.

The mountain tapir *T. pinchaque* and its Amazonian counterpart *T. terrestris*, are indicator species of habitat quality, since generally in the areas where *Tapirus* genus was recorded, the general species composition is practically in its original state and the forest is well conserved. Both species are considered gardeners of the forest, as they contribute to seed dispersal, regulation of the growth of some plants, and maintenance of soil fertility. During the sampling, it was possible to record several species of plants consumed by the Andean tapir, among which the genera *Pilea*, *Piper*, *Solanum*, and *Gunnera* stands out, as has been described in previous studies in other localities [10].

### **4. Discussion**
