Effects of landscape attributes on medium- and large terrestrial non-volant mammals: a systematic review of camera trap studies (2010–2023)

Human-driven transformations of terrestrial landscapes are causing unprecedented habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, with particularly severe consequences for medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals. Landscape ecology offers critical insights into how wildlife populations respond to changes in habitat configuration, quantity, quality and connectivity. This review addresses two primary objectives: (1) to systematically synthesize scientific evidence from 2010 to 2023 on the effects of landscape attributes on the distribution, abundance, and behavior of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals, pinpointing the most influential metrics and variables; and (2) to evaluate the response patterns of various species and functional groups to diverse landscape matrices and anthropogenic transformations. The landscape effects explored focused on natural habitat fragmentation affecting functional connectivity, reduction in available habitat, changes in spatial patch configuration, intensification of human activities in the surrounding matrix, and edge effects arising from the transition between natural and anthropized habitats. These landscape attributes significantly influenced species richness (28.45% of studies), occupancy patterns (25.63%), and population abundance (12.39%) of terrestrial mammals. Camera traps served as the primary methodological tool for data collection in these studies, enabling systematic assessment across various spatial and temporal scales. A total of 180 articles from scientific databases were analyzed, with most studies conducted in the Americas, Asia, and Africa, predominantly in tropical and subtropical biomes. Research primarily occurred in native forests (77.17%) and areas with agricultural activities (42.39%), with 68.89% focusing on mammal communities broadly. Commonly utilized landscape metrics were associated with human disturbances and habitat quantity. This review emphasizes the need to comprehend landscape effects on mammal conservation, as species exhibited varied responses to landscape transformation, with some demonstrating ecological flexibility while others faced adverse consequences.