Which is the appropriate scale to assess the impact of landscape spatial configuration on the diet and behavior of spider monkeys

摘要: Understanding the response of species to changes in landscape configuration is required design adequate management and conservation strategies. Yet, most appropriate spatial scale (i.e., size) assess (so-called “scale effect”) largely unknown. In this paper, we impact forest cover, fragmentation, edge density, inter-patch isolation distance on diet behavior six communities spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) fragmented Lacandona rainforest, Mexico. We evaluated strength relationship between each predictor variable within ten different-sized landscapes (range = 50–665 ha) identify size that best predicted behavior. The associations varied across scales, with 126-ha showing strongest relationships predictors variables many cases. Yet cover represented main driver monkeys, being positively associated time traveling feeding wood, but negatively related resting leaves. Although weaker, density was opposite for variables. Forest fragmentation showed weakest species. Our findings thus indicate different attributes operate at scales. Therefore, effects cannot be generalized all predictors, a multi-scale analysis will accurately species' responses. Am. J. Primatol. 77:56–65, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.