Distribution and Abundance of Sandhill Cranes in Mexico

Drewien, Roderick C.; Brown, Wendy M.; Benning, Douglas S.

doi:10.2307/3802225

Cited by 24 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Close proximity of these distinctive wetland environments (lacustrine, palustrine, freshwater, and saline) concentrates biodiversity within endorheic watersheds. These habitats collectively make up a wetland network supporting 94 migratory waterbird species and millions of individual birds during breeding, wintering, and migration (Drewien, Brown, & Benning, ; Drewien, Terrazas, Taylor, Barraza, & Shea, ; Jehl, ; Oring, Neel, & Oring, ; Oring & Reed, ; Paul & Manning, ). Continental waterbird populations reliant on these habitats include the following: 70% of waterfowl in western North America (IWJV, ), 99% of eared grebes ( Podiceps nigricollis ), 90% of Wilson's Phalaropes ( Phalaropus tricolor ), 50% of American Avocets ( Recurvirostra americana ), 50% of American White Pelicans ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ), and 50% of Western Snowy Plovers ( Charadrius nivosus nivosus ; Ellis & Jehl, ; Oring et al, ; Paul & Manning, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration

Donnelly

King

Silverman

et al. 2020

Global Change Biology

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Migrating waterbirds moving between upper and lower latitudinal breeding and wintering grounds rely on a limited network of endorheic lakes and wetlands when crossing arid continental interiors. Recent drying of global endorheic water stores raises concerns over deteriorating migratory pathways, yet few studies have considered these effects at the scale of continental flyways. Here, we investigate the resiliency of waterbird migration networks across western North America by reconstructing long‐term patterns (1984–2018) of terminal lake and wetland surface water area in 26 endorheic watersheds. Findings were partitioned regionally by snowmelt‐ and monsoon‐driven hydrologies and combined with climate and human water‐use data to determine their importance in predicting surface water trends. Nonlinear patterns of lake and wetland drying were apparent along latitudinal flyway gradients. Pervasive surface water declines were prevalent in northern snowmelt watersheds (lakes −27%, wetlands −47%) while largely stable in monsoonal watersheds to the south (lakes −13%, wetlands +8%). Monsoonal watersheds represented a smaller proportion of total lake and wetland area, but their distribution and frequency of change within highly arid regions of the continental flyway increased their value to migratory waterbirds. Irrigated agriculture and increasing evaporative demands were the most important drivers of surface water declines. Underlying agricultural and wetland relationships however were more complex. Approximately 7% of irrigated lands linked to flood irrigation and water storage practices supported 61% of all wetland inundation in snowmelt watersheds. In monsoonal watersheds, small earthen dams, meant to capture surface runoff for livestock watering, were a major component of wetland resources (67%) that supported networks of isolated wetlands surrounding endorheic lakes. Ecological trends and human impacts identified herein underscore the importance of assessing flyway‐scale change as our model depictions likely reflect new and emerging bottlenecks to continental migration.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration

Donnelly

King

Silverman

et al. 2020

Global Change Biology

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“…As the mid-continent population continues to increase (Sharp & Vogel, 1991) and more land is converted to human uses, so will the number of cranes migrating into northern Mexico that is already estimated in 70,000 individuals (Drewien et al, 1996). Recent studies indicate that cranes are increasing and expanding their wintering range in northern Mexico (Lopez-Saut et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An estimated 14% (70,000) of the mid-continent population of sandhill cranes winters in northern Mexico (Drewien, Brown, & Benning, 1996). Wintering areas occur mainly in the Chihuahuan Desert in north-central Mexico, where farmers grow their crops in arid and semiarid environments (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad [CONABIO], 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rural Inhabitant Perceptions of Sandhill Cranes in Wintering Areas of Northern Mexico

Barceló

Guzmán-Aranda²,

Chávez-Ramírez³

et al. 2012

Human Dimensions of Wildlife

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Trends in the mid-continent population of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) indicate that the species is increasing. A large proportion of this population winters in northern Mexico where possible conflicts between local inhabitants and cranes can occur. We conducted interviews of 40 rural inhabitants living near wetlands used by cranes in three Mexican states. All interviewees had knowledge of cranes and were capable of describing them. The arrival of cranes affected 43% of interviewees. The negative effects were mainly destroyed crops with a subsequent diminished production. Seventy percent of those affected implemented scare tactics to deter the birds, while others (15%) did nothing to mitigate crop losses and accepted such damages. While sandhill cranes continue to increase, conflicts with humans are expected to rise. Our results provide information about human attitudes toward cranes and can serve as the basis for future conservation guidelines.

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“…It is the most important wintering area in Mexico for white-fronted goose, sandhill crane and lesser snow goose (Drewien, Brown & Benning, 1996;Ely & Takekawa, 1996;Ducks Unlimited, 2001). …”

Section: Priority Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Priority sites for wildfowl conservation in Mexico

Pérez-Arteaga

Jackson

Carrera³

et al. 2005

Animal Conservation

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A set of priority sites for wildfowl conservation in Mexico was determined using contemporary count data (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000) from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mid-winter surveys. We used a complementarity approach implemented through linear integer programming that addresses particular conservation concerns for every species included in the analysis and large fluctuations in numbers through time. A set of 31 priority sites was identified, which held more than 69% of the mid-winter count total in Mexico during all surveyed years. Six sites were in the northern highlands, 12 in the central highlands, six on the Gulf of Mexico coast and seven on the upper Pacific coast. Twenty-two sites from the priority set have previously been identified as qualifying for designation as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and 20 sites are classified as Important Areas for Bird Conservation in Mexico. The information presented here provides an accountable, spatially-explicit, numerical basis for ongoing conservation planning efforts in Mexico, which can be used to improve existing wildfowl conservation networks in the country and can also be useful for conservation planning exercises elsewhere.

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Distribution and Abundance of Sandhill Cranes in Mexico

Cited by 24 publications

References 14 publications

Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration

Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration

Rural Inhabitant Perceptions of Sandhill Cranes in Wintering Areas of Northern Mexico

Priority sites for wildfowl conservation in Mexico

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