Contribution of community monitoring to knowledge of mammal diversity in voluntarily conservation areas in Southern Mexico

In southern Mexico, Voluntarily Designated Conservation Areas (VCA) represent a biological conservation strategy wherein governance and management are entrusted to the territory. Within the VCAs of the La Chinantla region in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, community monitoring utilizing camera traps has been conducted with the assistance of government programs. This initiative has yielded a substantial number of records for medium and large mammals. Nevertheless, the available information has not undergone systematic analysis, constraining its utility in strategic planning and the evaluation of biodiversity conservation endeavors. This study seeks to highlight the impact of community monitoring in 18 VCAs on understanding the altitudinal distribution of mammal diversity in La Chinantla. The analysis incorporates data from a community monitoring covering 129 camera trap stations (4,384 camera days) strategically positioned along an elevation gradient ranging from 50 to 2000 m above sea level, over the period 2011–2014. We assessed alpha and beta diversity, as well as the community structure of medium and large mammals within three distinct elevation zones. A total of 26 species of medium-sized mammals were documented, revealing distinct mammal assemblages in each zone. However, 15 species were common across all zones. We found that the highest species richness was observed below 400 m, where tropical rainforest vegetation predominates. We also found that the species turnover component had a significant impact on the total beta value. Despite the considerable involvement of local residents in the monitoring program and their acquisition of social, technical, and ecological knowledge, there is still a need to strengthen their capabilities to enhance community monitoring. Finally, fostering collaboration between local communities, academic institutions, and governmental initiatives is essential for the successful conservation of mammals in La Chinanlta.