Authors: Decarre, Julieta; Jankowicz, Carolina;Biganzoli, Fernando;

Land-use change is a major threat to biodiversity globally, yet the effects aside from habitat loss, such as the importance of the agricultural matrix, remain poorly understood. The South American Chaco is an environmentally diverse region holding exceptional biodiversity, but experiences one of the highest deforestation rates worldwide. Here, we examined how landscape features determine the occupancy of two medium-sized mammal species: the three-banded armadillo and the crab-eating fox. We fitted single-season occupancy models using camera-trapping records (1) to analyse how landscape composition and configuration influence these species; and (2) to assess the impact of on-site and surrounding landscape elements at multiple spatial scales. Our results indicate that forest cover is important. Particularly large stands of old-growth forest, persisting away of the deforestation frontier. However, its relevance varies by species and, most interestingly, its effect is stronger at considerably greater distances than predicted. For species that have been historically persecuted, big forest patches seem to be acting as the last refuges from hunting. Contrarily, habitat-generalist species are less affected by deforestation although responding to human presence and disturbances. Information derived from this study could drive specific management decisions fostering production and conservation alike.