Human impact on mammal diversity in Secoya Land, Ecuadorian Amazon

To evaluate the impact of hunting on the diversity of mammals in the Secoya land in the northeastern of Ecuador, we using a non-invasive methodology based on the use of "camera traps" located in forests at different distances from Secoya settlements from April to December 2006, we recorded a total of 20 species of mammals, belonging to 14 families. The species with the highest number of records were black agouti Dasyprocta fuliginosa, collared peccary Peccary tajacu and lowland paca Agouti paca. The diversity of species, estimated by the number of species recorded per month, was significantly lower in forests near human settlements than forests away of settlements. We also present preliminary data from the relative abundance of species and their patterns of daily and seasonal activity. The participatory research has facilitated making conscience by Secoya people over the negative impacts of hunting and be a major pillar for the development of a program to managing hunting effective and appropriate to the environmental and cultural reality.