Abstract

CHAVEZ-LUGO, Eber G. et al. From the mountains to the valley: the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in Coahuila, Mexico. Huitzil [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.2, e661.  Epub Mar 05, 2024. ISSN 1870-7459.  https://doi.org/10.28947/hrmo.2023.24.2.748.

The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a nationally threatened raptor, which is distributed from the north of the country to central Mexico. However, there are few reports of its presence within the distribution range in Mexico, as is the case for Coahuila. We carried out field observations in southeastern Coahuila during the period from 2017 to 2023, complemented by a review of field monitoring records in different databases. With these records, we generated environmental suitability modeling for the Golden Eagle using the MaxEnt algorithm to identify priority areas for conservation that are not located within a protected area. Monitoring records of the Golden Eagle largely demonstrated that the highest probability of occurrence is found in the northwest and southeast portion of Coahuila in areas of desert scrub and natural grassland. The climate suitability model indicated that priority areas for conservation are located adjacent to protected areas such as Maderas del Carmen, Sierra de Arteaga, Sierra de Zapalinamé, Ocampo and Don Martín. Our modeling of climatic suitability for the Golden Eagle allowed us to identify priority areas for conservation that are not located within a natural protected area, which implies that these areas suitable for the Golden Eagle to inhabit should be considered priority areas for the species’ conservation.

Keywords : Accipitridae; conservation; Los Angeles Experimental Ranch; raptors; Sierra de Zapalinamé.

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