Survey of medium and large mammals and their ecosystem services in a peri-urban park

Medium and large mammals are crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance by providing essential ecological services. However, these species face significant threats due to human activities. This study, conducted in Brasília National Park (PNB), a peri-urban protected area within the Cerrado biome, aimed to evaluate the richness of medium and large mammal species, their seasonal occurrences, and the ecosystem services they provide. We monitored these mammals using camera traps across two seasons from 2020 to 2022. A total of 25 native species were recorded, five of which are classified as threatened. Additionally, we detected three non-native species, posing potential risks. Our analysis revealed no significant seasonal differences in species richness (p = 0.46), indicating that these mammals persist throughout the year. Tapirus terrestris was the most frequently recorded species, underscoring the park's importance for the conservation of threatened species. Furthermore, we identified ten ecosystem services provided by the recorded mammals, with cultural value, disease surveillance, and seed dispersal being the most frequently observed. This study underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts in PNB to safeguard its unique mammalian diversity and associated ecosystem services. Continued monitoring is essential for understanding and mitigating the threats faced by Cerrado biodiversity.