title: Using certified timber extraction to benefit jaguar and ecosystem conservation.
abstract: The jaguar Panthera onca requires large areas of relatively intact habitats containing adequate amounts of prey to survive. Since a substantial portion of jaguar range occurs outside of strict protected areas, there is a need for economic incentives for habitat conservation, which carefully managed selective logging can provide. Forest Stewardship Council and Pan European Forest Council certifications intended to regulate wood extraction to maintain the ecological functions of forests require evidence of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. We draw on twelve surveys across four countries and a range of biomes to present evidence that adequate logging management can maintain jaguar populations, but that they are at risk without efficient control of secondary impacts of access and hunting. Where resident, the presence of jaguars can serve as an indication that the ecological requirements of certified timber extraction are being met. We present a gradient of rigor for monitoring, recommending cost-effective options.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA. jpolisar@wcs.org.|, 4841 1st, St. Arlington, VA, 22204, USA. jpolisar@wcs.org.
authors.forename: John
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6716-4777
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polisar
authors.affiliation: Kwata NGO, 16 Avenue Pasteur, 97300, Cayenne, French Guiana.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Thoisy
authors.affiliation: Fundación Simón I. Patiño, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Damián I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Rumiz
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Managua, Nicaragua.|, Km 9½ carretera a Masaya, callejón ladrillería San Pablo, Managua, Nicaragua.
authors.forename: Fabricio Díaz
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Casa No. 3, Avenida 15 de Marzo, 17001, Flores, Petén, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Roan Balas
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: McNab
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Casa No. 3, Avenida 15 de Marzo, 17001, Flores, Petén, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Rony
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garcia-Anleu
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Casa No. 3, Avenida 15 de Marzo, 17001, Flores, Petén, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ponce-Santizo
authors.affiliation: Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arispe
authors.affiliation: Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Venegas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D016468:Forestry; D065928:Forests; D046009:Panthera
keywords: Certified timber extraction; Forest Stewardship Council certification; Jaguars; Pan European Forest Council certification; Selective logging