High‐resolution drone imagery reveals drivers of fine‐scale giant otter habitat selection in the land‐water interface

Neotropical freshwater habitats are particularly sensitive to degradation by human activity. Piscivorous semi-aquatic megafauna inhabit both the terrestrial and aquatic mediums thus may be good indicators of wetland habitat quality. However, drivers their space use at landscape levels not well understood. We studied spatial behavior giant otters in Madre de Dios, Peru, inhabiting areas with variable protection. combined unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) satellite images develop different water-associated land cover variables. tested influence these predictors on otter multiple scales, comparing used available locations. Giant favored bank dense forest canopy cover. In medium, showed positive selection for open water fallen logs avoided floating vegetation. These findings explained preference optimal fish maximize foraging yield that provide more from predators higher quality denning Variables developed UAV outperformed satellite-derived Despite recent signs deforestation lake banks unprotected areas, model predictions indicated oxbow lakes did differ suitability protected habitats. Management implications our include identification factors driving guide policy decisions regarding protection or restoration ecosystems support populations. addition, we demonstrate UAVs have value complementing providing a cost-effective methodology assess species land-water interface.