Urban Matrices Threaten Patch Occurrence of Howler Monkeys in Anthropogenic Landscapes

Habitat modification due to human activities threatens species survival. While some species can inhabit habitat patches in anthropogenic landscapes, their occurrence often depends on landscape structure. We assessed the effects of landscape structure on brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) occurrence in an urban scenario. We conducted censuses in 59 forest patches from 2014 to 2016 in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We evaluated patch occurrence (presence/absence) in response to landscape composition (forest cover, arboreal crops, urban areas, open areas, and water) and configuration (patch density), considering the scale of effect. Water, urban, and open areas were the most important predictors of howler presence. Their presence was notably higher in landscapes with more water, likely because these landscapes consist of rural areas with low urbanization, less farming, and relatively high forest cover. Presence of howlers was positively associated with forest cover and negatively related to urban areas, open areas, and arboreal crops. Resource scarcity and increased mortality risks from human pressures, such as domestic dog attacks, electrocution, and roadkill on these land covers may explain these relationships. We highlight the importance of conserving and increasing forest cover in anthropogenic landscapes to protect species reliant on forested habitats, like howler monkeys.