Can Landscape Units Map Help the Conservation of Spix´s Macaw?

Abstract

Several studies suggest that Cyanopsitta spixii occurs mainly in Tabebuia caraiba (Mart.) Bureau gallery woodlands of northern Bahia (Brazil). The recently creation of two Protected Areas (2018) is combining efforts to ensure the reintroduction and conservation of this Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct in the Wild) macaw. Achieving species conservation requires the definition of priority conservation areas and habitat recovery and the Landscape Cartography can be a relevant tool for this purpose. This research aimed to verify if there is a correlation between Landscape Units map and the Spix’s macaw occurrence. Here the Protected Areas landscape is described in three main components: land cover, landforms and superficial geology and then overlapped to occurrence map of Spix’s macaw and its most similar syntopic parrot, Primolius maracana. Spatial correlation revealed a correspondence of 85.48% to Dry River Environment Landscape pattern and C. spixii occurrence, indicating the importance to prioritize fluvial Landscapes conservation, combined with conservation strategies that must include the local population, since this are important territories for their survival.

Spix’s Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii (Wagler, 1832) population viability analysis

“…Even with this limitation, our findings should be factored into release planning and in situ management actions. The data on land use and occupation by the reintroduced birds allowed us to confirm the pattern recorded in the literature on the species (Juniper and Yamashita 1991, Juniper 2002, Barros et al 2012, Cavalcanti et al 2020), with respect to its preference for arboreal habitat near waterways. Thus, the estimated population density of 0.009 individuals/ha was stratified according to landscape use, showing a higher density of 0.04 individuals/ha in the arboreal vegetation area.…”