Abstract

MESERVE, Peter L. Genesis, evolution, and future of a long-term study of small mammals in South America. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2016, vol.23, n.1, pp.11-16. ISSN 0327-9383.

Since 1989, I have been involved in a long-term ecological study in the semiarid zone of north-central Chile. To date it has uncovered many exciting aspects of the structure and functioning of the unusual biota here. However, the genesis of this project actually dates back to 1973 when I first saw the study area in Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge as a visiting professor at the Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago. At that time, I initiated a small mammal live-trapping study in collaboration with Eric Le Boulengé of Belgium. Little did we know that the basic data we collected on small mammal populations, diets, and predators then would lead to the installation of what is now the longest run­ning field manipulation in temperate South America. In this experiment, we have altered predator and herbivore access to replicated field enclosures. We have documented strong effects of biotic interactions including herbivory and vertebrate predation on floral and faunal elements; however, abiotic factors due chiefly to periodic rainfall events such as El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSOs), and most recently climate change have dramatic, overriding effects on virtually all biotic elements. Work continues today with additional experiments and inclusion of other faunal groups such as birds, arthropods and lagomorphs; however, we emphasize that in order to maintain a sus­tained multifaceted study such as this one, three essential elements are required: 1) good data; 2) the evolution of objectives and sampling efforts; and 3) to some degree, chance or serendipity. We are grateful to many sources of support we have enjoyed over the past 28 years, as well as the dedicated labor of more than 30 technicians and post-doctoral students in the project.

Keywords : Climate change; El Niño Southern Oscilla­tions (ENSOs); Long-term studies; North-central Chile; Semiarid ecology.