干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Strategies of habitat use of the guanaco were analyzed in early and late summer, when parturition and lactation increase nutritional needs and predation risk. The daily distribution of guanacos was followed by scan-sampling, relief and soil were measured in each habitat, and vegetation was analyzed by the point-quadrat method. Guanacos showed a selective habitat use, preferring open areas with grasslands, gentle terrain and low hiding cover. The density of guanacos was positively associated with the intensively eaten grass Panicum urvilleanum, and negatively associated with rocky soils, high shrublands and avoided plants. A weakening of the selective habitat use occurred when the abundance of guanacos increased in the study area during late summer, ceasing avoidance of poor and risky habitats.