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Guanaco responses to spatial heterogeneity were evaluated in La Payunia Protected Area, Patagonia, through analysis of guanaco diet and density, and food availability, in four habitats. An opportunistic behaviour was suggested by dietary differences among habitats reflecting differences in availability of food plant species. The abundance of guanacos was positively correlated with the availability of the preferred species, and it was stable throughout the year where preferred shrubs were highly available. Switching among habitats may be an adaptive response of guanacos to the low quality of available food. A strong negative influence of the range livestock on the abundance of guanacos, in spite of high food availability, was detected. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.