The influence of riparian vegetation, woody debris, stream morphology and human activity on the use of rivers by southern river otters in Lontra provocax in Chile

The distribution of the Endangered southern river otter Lontra provocax population in southern Chile has contracted, causing concern among otter specialists and conservationists. The main factor contributing to this decline is the loss of suitable habitat. Because the Chilean Irrigation Law promotes land drainage, the removal of riparian vegetation and canalization of lowland rivers in several provinces, this situation could deteriorate further. Using an Index of Revisitation Rate (IRR), we assessed the influence of woody debris, riparian vegetation, river bank morphology and river canalization on the use of rivers and streams by the southern river otter. Surveys were conducted on foot, on a monthly basis, between April 1999 and March 2001 in the south of Chile. The surveys covered 13 sections of rivers and streams, 3 km long and