Abstract

What is the most appropriate approach for researching spatial and social ecology of the open-habitat Andean Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna): Global Positioning System (GPS) or observational methodologies? Both provide large sample sizes for analysis. The Vicuña is a high-altitude ungulate, sedentary, and non-migratory with year-round territoriality forming the basis of its social organization and habitat use. Systematic observational methods yield in-depth details on daily and seasonal movements of primary social groups and individual feeding habits by plant communities. Also documented is information on Feeding Territories including establishment, utilization, defense, duration, size, and shape, plus data on group size, composition, intra-group social dynamics, and population density. GPS documents high site fidelity, home range size and shape, but no behaviorally-based essential information related to territoriality nor Family Groups. Understanding Vicuña movements at GPS fine scale does not necessarily yield greater knowledge nor our ability to understand the animal’s ecology. Greater use of observational methodology is encouraged

Keywords:Andean Vicuña; Vicugna vicugna; Spatial-social ecology; Observational data collection; GPS methodology

Abbreviation:Global Positioning System (GPS)