Connecting the dots: integrating citizen science, ecology, and habitat change for the conservation of three Leporidae species in the central mountains of Mexico

Anthropogenic activities have a profound impact on ecosystems, threatening species and contributing to increased extinction rates. Among them are some Leporidae species, for which ecological data remains insufficient to support effective conservation. This study aimed to monitor the status of the volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), and Mexican cottontail (Sylvilagus cunicularius) in 2018 in southern Mexico City, using citizen science tools. The field research involved recording fecal pellets and habitat characteristics along 1 km transects. Vegetation changes over the past 20 years were analyzed using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Standard Anomaly Index (SAI). Among 2,026 quadrants (~ 8,000 km²), the volcano rabbit, eastern cottontail, and Mexican cottontail were detected in 3.25%, 8.09%, and 12.37% of sampling points, respectively. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that mature tree density harmed the presence of the volcano rabbit. At the same time, cottontails appeared to be more resilient to habitat changes. Despite reforestation efforts, SPI, EVI, and SAI data indicated an increase in dryness over time. Intensive planting has transformed alpine grasslands, a key habitat for the volcano rabbit, into densely forested areas. Citizen science is an effective tool for monitoring certain species of leporids, such as the volcano rabbit, and provides valuable insights for conservation strategies. Future interventions should prioritize the preservation of alpine grasslands to ensure their long-term survival.