In this pioneering study, we evaluated variables that may influence the occupancy and detections (here interpreted as a proxy of intensity or frequency of use) probabilities of cattle and donkeys in a protected area in the Caatinga dry forest biome. No variable influenced the occupancy probability of cattle, which was high and constant at all sampled sites. Conversely, the occupancy probability of donkeys was positively correlated with the distance from the nearest ranch, which might be explained by the fact that donkeys are feral in our study area and thus, avoid areas inhabited by humans. The detection probability of both species was strongly influenced by the type of habitat, with the shrubby arboreal Caatinga being used more intensively by both species than riparian forests. The presence of cattle and donkeys within the protected area may represent a severe threat to the local biotas. This area is currently dominated by secondary successional habitats, resulting from the extensive degradation of its vegetation prior to the establishment of the protected area, and the incursions of these domestic animals may hamper the recuperation of native habitats, as well as jeopardize the survival of its native species, reduce water quality, and erode ecosystem services. We believe that studies of this type are essential and that the data they produce should be considered in the development of the management plans for protected areas to minimize the impacts of these exotic species on the native fauna and flora of Brazilian biomes.

在这项开创性研究中，我们评估了可能影响Caatinga干旱森林生物群落保护区中牛和驴的占有率和检测率（此处解释为强度或使用频率的代表）的变量。没有变量影响牛的占用率，在所有采样点上牛的占用率都很高且恒定。相反，驴子的居住概率与距最近牧场的距离呈正相关，这可以用以下事实来解释：驴子在我们的研究区域内是野性的，因此应避免人类居住。两种物种的检出概率都受到栖息地类型的强烈影响，与河岸森林相比，两种树种都使用灌木丛生的树状Caatinga。保护区内牛和驴的存在可能对当地生物群区构成严重威胁。由于该地区在建立保护区之前植被已广泛退化，目前该地区主要为次生演替生境，这些家畜的入侵可能会阻碍其自然栖息地的恢复，并危及其生存。本地物种，降低水质，侵蚀生态系统服务。我们认为，这类研究至关重要，在制定保护区管理计划时应考虑其产生的数据，以最大程度地减少这些外来物种对巴西生物群落的原生动植物的影响。由于该地区在建立保护区之前植被已广泛退化，目前该地区主要为次生演替生境，这些家畜的入侵可能会阻碍其自然栖息地的恢复，并危及其生存。本地物种，降低水质，侵蚀生态系统服务。我们认为，这类研究至关重要，在制定保护区管理计划时应考虑其产生的数据，以最大程度地减少这些外来物种对巴西生物群落的原生动植物的影响。由于该地区在建立保护区之前植被已广泛退化，目前该地区主要为次生演替生境，这些家畜的入侵可能会阻碍其自然栖息地的恢复，并危及其生存。本地物种，降低水质，侵蚀生态系统服务。我们认为，这类研究至关重要，在制定保护区管理计划时应考虑其产生的数据，以最大程度地减少这些外来物种对巴西生物群落的原生动植物的影响。以及危害其本地物种的生存，降低水质并侵蚀生态系统服务。我们认为，这类研究至关重要，在制定保护区管理计划时应考虑其产生的数据，以最大程度地减少这些外来物种对巴西生物群落的原生动植物的影响。以及危害其本地物种的生存，降低水质并侵蚀生态系统服务。我们认为，这类研究至关重要，在制定保护区管理计划时应考虑其产生的数据，以最大程度地减少这些外来物种对巴西生物群落的原生动植物的影响。