Effects of human-induced habitat changes on site-use patterns in large Amazonian Forest mammals

The Amazon is one of the most diverse biomes around globe, currently threatened by economic and industrial development climate change. Large mammals are keystone species, playing an important role in ecosystem structure function as ecological engineers, while being highly susceptible to deforestation, habitat degradation, human exploitation. Using a unifying hierarchical Bayesian spatial approach, we examine site-use patterns four large Amazonian Forest their relationships anthropogenic factors at biome-wide scale. Our results showed that species’ site use correlated with induced changes, this correlation species-specific. white-lipped peccary shows highest estimates within strict protected areas, affected proximity urban areas benefiting from indigenous territories, tapir responding slightly burned forested giant armadillo jaguar were primarily vegetation cover loss; disturbances related colonization Amazon. findings contribute understanding how human-induced environmental changes influence these mammals, inform future conservation land planning. Transboundary efforts, empowering integrating native (indigenous non-indigenous) communities governance schemes, involving private sector securing commitment developed countries paths for protection sustainability globally-crucial rainforest.