Long‐term assessment of reproductive parameters of broad‐snouted caiman populations in agroecosystem areas of central‐northern Santa Fe, Argentina

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and keeping livestock have signifi cantly modified natural ecosystems, transforming them into agroecosystems and contributing to habitat loss and species decline. In Argentina, agricultural expansion has been accompanied by increased use of agrochemicals, raising concerns about their impact on biodiversity. These chemicals can affect organisms directly during application or persist in the environment, potentially disrupting reproduction. Our study focuses on Caiman latirostris populations, a species whose distribution overlaps with croplands. We conducted a comprehensive long-term spatial and multi-temporal analysis of some reproductive parameters in C. latirostris in 2000–2018,using six nesting areas located in central-northern Santa Fe, Argentina. This analy sis integrated geospatial tools to assess the impact of agrochemical exposure on reproduction. Nest monitoring data from the Proyecto Yacare e conservation program were integrated with geospatial datasets through the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, utilizing AI tools to evaluate environmental disturbances of each nesting area and its perinesting environment. This assessment incorporated web feature geoservices (WFS), vegetation indices (NDVI) temporal series, and land use/land cover. Reproductive parameters, including hatching success, the percentage ofnon-viable embryos, infertile eggs, and neonate malformations, were analyzed in relation to the proximity of agricultural activities. Results revealed a significant decline in hatching success, accompanied by an increase in the proportion of non-viable embryos and infertile eggs in the nests, particularly in nesting areas associated with agricultural activities. The integration of geotechnologies provided a comprehensive evaluation of the spatial and temporal aspects of the impacts of agricultural expansion on C. latirostris reproduction. These findings suggest thatchronic exposure to agrochemicals is a plausible factor contributing to the decline in reproductive success, with broader implications for conservation in agroecosystems. This study highlights the utility of geotechnologies in monitoring environmental changes and their effects on wildlife. Our results also offer a scalable approach to assess anthropogenic impacts on other species and ecosystems, providing critical insights for conservation strategies.