Subsistence Hunting in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras: A Comparison of Game Abundance in Hunted and Protected Areas. Yannick Cabassu M.Sc. Candidate Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Carleton University Ottawa, Canada CAG Annual Meeting Saskatoon, Saskatchewan June 1, 2007

Research Objectives Goal: To Investigate the effects of subsistence hunting on wildlife populations in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras. Specific Aims: To compare the relative abundance of game species between a hunted site in the cultural zone of the biosphere and a non-hunted or lightly-hunted site in the nucleus zone using direct and indirect observations.

Man and the Biosphere Reserve Conservation Function – to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variations. Development function – to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable. (UNESCO’S MAB Program 2005)

Biosphere Reserves in Latin America Indigenous People Hunting

Study Area: Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Moskito Coast, Honduras, May-August Source: Adapted from Dunn 2005

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve General History Cultural Importance –Miskito, Pech, Garifuna, Tawhaka Ecological importance ZoneEstimated Area (ha) Estimated Area (%) Estimated Population Estimated Population (%) Nucleus210, Cultural422, , Buffer196, Total829, , Source: House et al. 2002

Methodology Study period: May-Aug 2006 Informal interviews with hunters Transects survey –Las Marías: Four 6-km long transects. Distance = 180 km –Nucleus: Four 3-km long transects Distance = 132 km Tracks as a measure of abundance 10 game species, 12 non-game species

Direct and Indirect Observations of Game Species per Kilometer Around the Village of Las Marías and in the Nucleus zone, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, May-Aug Nucleus zone*Las Marías ** Scientific Name Common Name # of obs Obs/K m # of obs Obs/K m Diff in obs/km † Statistical test p-valueSignificance (95% CI) Dasypus novemcinctus Nine-banded armadillo Anova p<0.01 Yes Dycotyles pecari White-lipped peccary (groups) Kruskal- Wallis p<0.01 Yes Dasyprocta puntata Agouti Anova p = 0.01 Yes tapirus bairdii Baird’s tapir Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed deer Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Agouti paca Paca Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes (Penelope purpurascens Crested guan Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Crax rubra Great currassow Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Mazama americana Red brocket deer Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Tayassu tajacu Collared peccary Kruskal- Wallis p = 0.39 No 132 km of transects were surveyed in the nucleus zone (non-hunted). ** 180 km of transects were surveyed around the village of Las Marías (hunted). † Obs/Km (Nucleus) - Obs/Km (Las Marías)

Direct and Indirect Observations of Non-game Species per Kilometer Around the Village of Las Marías and in the Nucleus zone, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, May-Aug Nucleus zone*Las Marías ** Scientific Name Common Name # of obs Obs/K m # of obs Obs/K m Diff in obs/km † Statistical test p-valueSignificance (95% CI) Ateles geoffoyi Spider monkey Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Alouatta palliata Howler monkey Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Puma concolor Puma Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Panthera onca Jaguar Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Leopardus spp Smaller felids Kruskal- Wallis p <0.01 Yes Nasua narica White- nosed coati Kruskal- Wallis p = 0.12 No Cebus capucinus White-faced capuchin Kruskal- Wallis p = 0.99 No Myrmecophaga tridactyla Giant anteater Kruskal- Wallis P = 0.08 No Tamandua mexicana Northern tamandua Kruskal- Wallis p = 0.98 No 132 km of transects were surveyed in the nucleus zone (non-hunted). ** 180 km of transects were surveyed around the village of Las Marías (hunted). † Obs/Km (Nucleus) - Obs/Km (Las Marías)

Results 9/10 game species are significantly less abundant in the hunted region. 5/9 non-game species are significantly less abundant in the hunted region Higher abundance in protected area.

Discussion Game species less abundant in hunted region Non-game species also less abundant in hunted region Hunting or human presence? Lower abundance near the village (<2km) than away from it.

Conclusion