BNPP - Herpetofauna diversity in silvopastoral systems and its relationship to water quality and farmer welfare in Matiguas (Matagalpa-Nicaragua)

In Matiguas municipality (Nicaragua) a study was carried out to relate water quality, and presence of herpetofauna with land use types and welfare of farmers. Amphibians and reptiles were sampled in (50m x 4 m) transects in parallel and to fixed distances from water sources (0 m, 10 m, 20 m y 40m), covering 4 habitats: river forests adjacent to pastures with high tree density (n=6), river forests adjacent to pastures with low tree density (n=3), no river forest and pastures with high tree density (n=3) and no river forest and pastures with low tree density (n=3) in cattle ranching farms. 582 individuals were sampled. Also semi-structured interviews to cattle ranchers (small, medium and large) were carried out to assess their perceptions about water quality, biodiversity and their welfare. The indicators obtained were divided according to capitals.