Lynx sp. at Spain during XIXth Century.: A case of study from Ecohistory

Abstract

Abstract Historic studies about fauna are often made from a biological focuss. Biologist understand that old biogeography, data about behaviour or environment are key issues for Conservation Biology. Hence they make studies about past times. Sometimes we can find that these historical researches are not as productive as they must be. It happens because of the nature of historical documents, language meaning, historical context or political elements. Therefore it is needed working together with an Historian. Here we give a case of study, Lynx sp. at Spain during XIXth century. Works like the Madoz Dictionary, dated at 1845, where we have found 73 references about Linx sp. Locations are spread at 30 Spanish provinces. We give in this paper some key issues about Method and analysis. It can be used for identification of fauna in historical documents, biogeographical studies or biodiversity management. It´s very important for Ecohistory and future works of Conservation Biology. Resumen Los estudios históricos sobre fauna suelen ser realizados desde un enfoque biológico. Los biólogos entienden que la antigua biogeografía, los datos sobre comportamiento o el medio ambiente son cuestiones clave para la Biología de la Conservación. Por lo tanto realizan estudios sobre tiempos pasados. En ocasiones encontramos que estos estudios históricos no son tan productivos como deberían de ser. Esto sucede por la naturaleza de los documentos históricos, el significado del lenguaje, el contexto histórico o elementos políticos.