Bird–habitat relationship for the declining Pampas meadowlark populations in the southern Pampas grasslands

Fernández, Gustavo J.; Posse, Gabriela; Ferretti, Valentina; Gabelli, Fabián M.

doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(03)00103-4

Cited by 24 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The need of efforts for the conservation of grasslands and savannas in the southern Neotropics has already been pointed out (e.g. PearceHiggins 1996;Vickery et al 1999;Silva 1999;Bellocq et al 2002;Ferna´ndez et al 2003). Our results indicate that the Dark-throated seedeater and the Tawny-bellied seedeater will most likely face (or may be already facing) a reduction in the southern part of their distributional range due to habitat loss to agriculture.…”

Section: Conservation Implicationssupporting

confidence: 64%

“…The pattern of abundance of the Dark-throated seedeater and Tawny-bellied seedeater may be explained by a decline in habitat suitability caused by land transformation. Changes in vegetation community may influence nesting success and food availability, as observed in the Neotropical grassland bird Pampas meadowlarck (Sturnella defilippi) (Ferna´ndez et al 2003). It is possible that the Dark-throated seedeater and the Tawny-bellied seedeater were unable to feed on exotic seeds, which may contribute to explain the negative relationship between abundance and agricultural intensity.…”

Section: Species Responses To Agricultural Intensitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many globally threatened grassland species have already suffered reductions of the geographical range due to extirpation from central Argentina (e.g. Ferna´ndez et al 2003;Vickery et al 2003 and references therein). The need of efforts for the conservation of grasslands and savannas in the southern Neotropics has already been pointed out (e.g.…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial Variations in the Abundance of Sporophila Seedeaters in the Southern Neotropics: Contrasting the Effects of Agricultural Development and Geographical Position

Filloy

Bellocq

2006

Biodivers Conserv

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Human alterations of the habitat may interfere with the natural processes that determine spatial patterns of species abundance. We examine the geographical position hypothesis and the agricultural transformation hypothesis to explain spatial patterns in the abundance of seedeater species (Sporophila spp.) in the southern Neotropics. The geographical position hypothesis predicts decreasing abundance with increasing distance from the center to the edge of a species' geographical range, and the agricultural transformation hypothesis predicts changing abundance as a response of variations in agricultural intensity. Bird abundance and the proportion of agricultural land were estimated for 16 transects covering 500 km along a gradient of both increasing agricultural intensity and increasing distance from the center of the species' geographical ranges. We found no evidence of distance effects on seedeater abundance. Responses to agricultural intensity varied among species. Neither the geographical position nor the agricultural transformation seemed to explain the pattern of abundance of Double-collared seedeaters (S. caerulescens). Agricultural intensity accounted for 63% and 99% of the spatial variation in the abundance of Dark-throated (S. ruficollis) and Tawny-bellied (S. hypoxantha) seedeaters, supporting the agricultural transformation hypothesis. The Dark-throated seedeater seem to be more tolerant to agricultural transformation than the Tawny-bellied seedeater, as they were not recorded in areas with more than 60% and 20% of agricultural lands, respectively. Our results indicate that the Dark-throated seedeater and the Tawny-bellied seedeater will most likely face (or may be already facing) a reduction in the southern part of their geographical range due to habitat loss to agriculture.

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Section: Conservation Implicationssupporting

confidence: 64%

Section: Species Responses To Agricultural Intensitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial Variations in the Abundance of Sporophila Seedeaters in the Southern Neotropics: Contrasting the Effects of Agricultural Development and Geographical Position

Filloy

Bellocq

2006

Biodivers Conserv

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“…Overall, the effect of agricultural intensification and homogenization of the landscape toward cropland on the avifauna of the Pampas of central Argentina will depend on the sensitivity and plasticity of each species (Fernández et al 2003, Filloy and Bellocq 2007, Pedrana et al 2008. In this study, we found that the abundance and richness of most specialized grassland birds have declined over large areas of the Pampas that have been converted to intensive crop production.…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 61%

Landbird Assemblages in Different Agricultural Landscapes: A Case Study in the Pampas of Central Argentina

2013

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Abstract. A combination of elements (e.g., crops and pasture lands, strips of roadside vegetation, woodlots, temporary wetlands) increases the heterogeneity of rural landscapes. Agricultural landscapes range from homogeneous, dominated by a single element (i.e., pure cropland or pure pastoral farming) to heterogeneous, dominated by two or more elements (i.e., mixed farming). In this study we characterized landbird assemblages in various agricultural landscapes (cropland, pastoral, and mixed landscapes) in the Pampas of central Argentina, surveying along transects to quantify species richness, composition, and abundance. Mixed landscapes were more heterogeneous than pastoral areas and cropland. Species richness, particularly of generalists, was greater in mixed landscapes. Richness of grassland specialists (species of increased conservation concern in the Pampas) was lower in croplands than in pastoral and mixed landscapes. An indicator-species analysis supported the association of some grassland specialists (Rhea americana, Asthenes hudsoni, Embernagra platensis, Pseudoleistes virescens) with pastoral landscapes. Our results suggest that maintaining landscape heterogeneity throughout the Pampas (i.e., mixed landscapes) is important for preserving species richness of birds. But several threatened grassland specialists inhabiting the Pampas, such as Rhea americana and Asthenes hudsoni, are found exclusively in pastoral landscapes, so the long-term survival of these species will depend on the conservation of this landscape type.Key words: agroecosystem, grassland bird species, land use, matrix, Neotropical Region. Ensambles de Aves Terrestres en Diferentes Paisajes Rurales: Un Estudio de Caso en las Pampas del Centro de ArgentinaResumen. La combinación de elementos del paisaje (e.g., cultivos, pastizales, vegetación de bordes de caminos, arboledas y humedales temporarios) incrementa la heterogeneidad y define diferentes tipos de paisajes rurales, desde paisajes homogéneos dominados por un único elemento (i.e., paisaje de cultivo o ganadero) hasta paisajes heterogéneos dominados por dos o más elementos (i.e., paisajes mixtos). En este estudio caracterizamos los ensambles de aves terrestres en diferentes tipos de paisajes rurales de la Pampa argentina (paisajes de cultivos, ganaderos y mixtos). Las aves terrestres fueron muestreadas con transectas para determinar la riqueza de especies, la composición y la abundancia en cada tipo de paisaje rural. El paisaje mixto tuvo una mayor heterogeneidad que los paisajes de cultivos y ganaderos. El paisaje mixto tuvo una mayor riqueza de especies que los paisajes de cultivos y ganaderos, en especial de especies generalistas. Por otro lado, el paisaje de cultivos tuvo la menor riqueza de especialistas de pastizal (aquellas con problemas de conservación en la Pampa) que los paisajes ganaderos y mixtos. Un análisis de especies indicadoras destacó la asociación entre algunas especies de pastizal (Rhea americana, Asthenes hudsoni, Embernagra platensis, Pseudoleistes virescens) y el ...

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“…The most important factor behind these changes is thought to be the loss of adequate reproductive habitat (Cozzani and Zalba 2009), due to conversion of grasslands into agricultural fields and afforestation, as well as cattle grazing and drainage of wetlands (Fraga et al 1998;Fernández et al 2003;Di Giacomo and Di Giacomo 2004;Gabelli et al 2004). The regional extinction of Eskimo Curlew may be at least partly explained by habitat transformation and heavy hunting in its nesting and wintering areas (Chebez 2008).…”

Section: Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of agriculture expansion and intensification on the vertebrate and invertebrate diversity in the Pampas of Argentina

et al. 2011

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In this paper we summarize for the first time the effects of agriculture expansion and intensification on animal diversity in the Pampas of Argentina and discuss research needs for biodiversity conservation in the area. The Pampas experienced little human intervention until the last decades of the 19th century. Agriculture expanded quickly during the 20th century, transforming grasslands into cropland and pasture lands and converting the landscape into a mosaic of natural fragments, agricultural fields, and linear habitats. In the 1980s, agriculture intensification and replacement of cattle grazingcropping systems by continuous cropping promoted a renewed homogenisation of the most productive areas. Birds and carnivores were more strongly affected than rodents and insects, but responses varied within groups: (a) the geographic ranges and/or abundances of many native species were reduced, including those of carnivores, herbivores, and specialist species (grassland-adapted birds and rodents, and probably specialized pollinators), sometimes leading to regional extinction (birds and large carnivores), (b) other native species were unaffected (birds) or benefited (bird, rodent and possibly generalist pollinator and crop-associated insect species), (c) novel species were introduced, thus increasing species richness of most groups (26% of non-rodent mammals, 11.1% of rodents, 6.2% of birds, 0.8% of pollinators). Much taxonomic and ecological work is still needed to understand Pampean animal biodiversity, to understand how agriculturization is affecting it, and to identify appropriate conservation actions. Networks of Important Bird Areas and Valuable Grassland Areas harbor a balanced representation of Pampean biodiversity and, if adequately protected, may provide valuable research sites, but complementary work should be carried out on agriculturized areas.

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Bird–habitat relationship for the declining Pampas meadowlark populations in the southern Pampas grasslands

Cited by 24 publications

References 22 publications

Spatial Variations in the Abundance of Sporophila Seedeaters in the Southern Neotropics: Contrasting the Effects of Agricultural Development and Geographical Position

Spatial Variations in the Abundance of Sporophila Seedeaters in the Southern Neotropics: Contrasting the Effects of Agricultural Development and Geographical Position

Landbird Assemblages in Different Agricultural Landscapes: A Case Study in the Pampas of Central Argentina

Effects of agriculture expansion and intensification on the vertebrate and invertebrate diversity in the Pampas of Argentina

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