Spatial distribution of environmental suitability for the maned wolf in central Argentina

Abstract

Climate and environmental features play a crucial role in shaping species´ spatial distribution patterns, makingthem essential for defining conservation strategies, particularly those involving the rescue and relocation ofindividuals. The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the largest canid in South America, and currentlycategorized as “vulnerable” in Argentina. Our aim was to determine the spatial distribution of environmentalsuitability for the maned wolf in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina utilizing occurrences during 1996-2019.We employed Maxent to identify association patterns between the spatial distribution of maned wolfoccurrences and climate variables (temperature and precipitation), landscape features, and anthropic variables.The results revealed positive relationships between environmental suitability and temperature, and withprecipitation during the wettest month. Areas with low or medium proportions of grassland, forest,temporarily flooded soils and proximity to permanent water displayed higher environmental suitability scores.In contrast, areas with crops exhibited lower environmental suitability scores than did those with otherenvironmental features. Anthropic variables were also associated with the environmental suitability of thespecies. This study highlights the importance of climate and habitat heterogeneity for characterizingenvironmental suitability for maned wolves in the Santa Fe Province and implications for conservation.