Modeling of Andean bear Tremarctos ornatus distribution in the dry forest of Maranon (Peru)

The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is a vulnerable species, his habitat is gradually fragmented by the expansion of human activities. In Peru, the Maranon thy forest, an ecoregion with little biological and ecological research, is the habitat of the species. Unfortunately, at the present time, it is being affected by agriculture, livestock and road construction, and soon will be threatened by the implementation of large scale economic activities, such as hydroelectric stations. In order to identify priority sectors for research and conservation of the Andean bear in the Maranon dry forest of Cajamarca and Amazonas regions, its habitat was modeled using MaxEnt algorithm. Sixty records of its presence as well as 6 environmental and climatic variables were used. Considering a total extension of 6,501.2 Km(2) of Maranon dry forest, the suitable existing habitat for the Andean bear would be only 480.7 km(2) (7.4%) and the marginal existing habitat, 2,418.5 km(2) (37.2%). Three priority sectors for research and conservation were identified which also present connectivity to montane forests and paramos inside protected areas: Cutervo National Park, Huangamarca Municipal Conservation Area (Cajamarca) and Private Conservation Areas, Huiquilla and Huaylla Belen-Colcamar (Amazonas). All Rights Reserved (C) 2015 Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Institute de Biologia. This is an open access item distributed under the Creative Commons CC License BY-NC-ND 4.0.