biocultural roles of mineral licks
We use a combination of camera trapping, soil analysis, and interviews with Maijuna hunters to understand the diverse roles of mineral licks in the Amazon. Mineral licks are sites where animals visit to consume soil, supplementing their diet with needed minerals or clays. These licks provide a critical service to animals, but are also key sites for Maijuna hunting and traditional culture. Many of the hunted species visit mineral licks, but here are some different mineral lick visitors:
Brazilian Porcupine
Cashacushillo
Coendou prehensilis
Red Howler Monkey
Coto Mono
Alouatta seniculus
Nocturnal Curassow
Montete
Nothocrax urumutum
Black Agouti
Añuje
Dasyprocta fuliginosa
current questions
Does the presence or density of mineral licks influence game mammal occupancy?
Which soil characteristics drive the visitation of game mammals at mineral licks?
Which soil and landscape characteristics influence visitation of parrots, parakeets, and mixed species flocks at mineral licks?