Bird richness and composition in a Cerrado fragment in the State of São Paulo

Abstract

Bird species richness is an important measure for monitoring biodiversity changes. We analysed avifauna richness and composition in a 472 ha protected cerrado fragment and surroundings at Fazenda Canchim (RL-CPPSE), São Carlos, in the State of São Paulo (SP). We carried out 95.1 hours of observation (22 visits) at irregular intervals from May 2004 to December 2006. Qualitative surveys were done walking through tracks inside the fragment and on the roads at its edge. We recorded 160 species, six of which were endemic to Cerrado domain, 22 migratory, seven threatened within the State of São Paulo, and two globally threatened. We found 28 species in the cerradão, 110 in the cerrado sensu stricto, 13 in the gallery forest, 26 in the reservoir border, 26 in pasturelands and sugar cane monoculture and 55 in an anthropic area. Most of the species had low frequency of occurrence in all vegetation forms. Insectivores were the major trophic category (46.9%), which is typical in tropical regions, and it is also related to resource availability. Omnivores followed with 19.4%, granivores with 8.8% and frugivores with 7.5%. We conclude that, despite its size and conservation status, our study area has a remarkable bird community and must be considered as a priority conservation area to preserve bird species in Sao Paulo State.Keywords: avifauna, State of São Paulo, Cerrado, fragmentation. Riqueza e composição da avifauna em um fragmento de Cerrado no Estado de São Paulo ResumoA riqueza de espécies é uma medida importante para o monitoramento da perda de biodiversidade. Nosso objetivo foi verificar a riqueza e a composição da avifauna em um fragmento de cerrado de 472 ha na Fazenda Canchim (RL-CPPSE), São Carlos, Estado de São Paulo (SP). Realizamos 95,1 horas de observação (22 visitas) entre maio de 2004 e dezembro de 2006, em intervalos irregulares. Percorremos trilhas dentro do fragmento e estradas na sua borda considerando diferentes tipos de vegetação. Registramos 160 espécies, das quais seis são endêmicas do Cerrado, 22 migratórias, sete ameaçadas de extinção no estado de São Paulo e duas globalmente ameaçadas. Registramos 28 espécies no cerradão, 110 no cerrado sensu stricto, 13 na mata ciliar, 26 no entorno de uma represa, 26 em pastagens e plantações de cana-de-açúcar e 55 em áreas antropizadas. A maioria das espécies ocorreu em baixa freqüência em todos os tipos de vegetação. A categoria com maior número de espécies foi a dos insetívoros (46,9%), padrão típico em regiões tropicais e, provavelmente, relacionado à disponibilidade de recursos na área. A segunda categoria trófica foi a dos onívoros (19,4%), seguida pelos granívoros (8,8%) e frugívoros (7,5%). Nossos resultados destacam consideráveis registros de espécies aves e a importância da área de estudo na preservação da biodiversidade da avifauna no cerrado paulista.Palavras-chave: avifauna, Estado de São Paulo, Cerrado, fragmentação.

Bird communities in two fragments of Cerrado in Itirapina, Brazil

“…The percentage of birds considered frugivores was low for both fragments, corroborating studies conducted in fragments in Sao Paulo State (Motta-Junior, 1990;Manica et al, 2010). Frugivores are among the most sensitive groups to forest fragmentation (Willis, 1979) because they need large areas to reach their food needs (Pizo, 2001).…”

“…Frugivores are among the most sensitive groups to forest fragmentation (Willis, 1979) because they need large areas to reach their food needs (Pizo, 2001). The higher percentage of predominantly insectivorous birds was also recorded by Motta-Junior (1990), Donatelli et al (2004Donatelli et al ( , 2007; and Manica et al (2010). However Motta-Junior (1990) and Donatelli et al (2007) found frugivores as the second more representative category.…”

“…Two (Gimenes and Anjos, 2003;Antunes, 2005;Manica et al, 2010 (Sick, 1997). The similarity of 70.95% among fragment bird communities and the probable reasons for this index, suggest that an ecological corridor to link these areas would be an important management strategy.…”

Composition and structure of bird communities in vegetational gradients of Bodoquena Mountains, western Brazil

“…Malacofagous and piscivorous birds only occurred in riparian forests, since these are the only areas with rivers and streams where their food resources could be found. Finally, carnivorous birds were represented by few species, just like in other studies (Motta-Junior 1990, Donatelli et al 2004, Manica et al 2010, since top predators occupy large territories and are naturally rare.…”

“…These groups are usually dominant in the Cerrado domain (MottaJunior 1990, Donatelli et al 2004, Piratelli and Blake 2006, Manica et al 2010, Vieira et al 2013) and other Brazilian phytogeographic domains (Willis 1979, Aleixo 1999, Anjos 2001, Silveira et al 2003, Santos 2004, Olmos et al 2005, Telino-Júnior et al 2005, Roos et al 2006, Donatelli et al 2007, Silveira and Machado 2012.…”