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Bird conservation papers presented at conference in Brazil Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology July 24, 2005 Below is a sampling of some of the bird conservation-related papers submitted for the conference. All descriptions are excepts from the official "Book of Abstracts" from the meeting. More abstracts. PAGUNTALAN, LISA MARIE; Jakosalem, Philip Godfrey; Orlanes, B. Orlyn. 1499 Torralba St., Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines. The Island of Cebu, Philippines is almost denuded and has lost most of its endemic species of flora and fauna. Information on threatened endemic birds of Cebu, generated over three years of monitoring (2002-2004), revealed a number of supposedly extinct bird taxa surviving in a number of small, degraded patches of forest. Methods used include mist netting, line transects and purposive search for threatened birds. Four (4) threatened endemic birds were observed in at least three sites on Cebu Island. Ten (10) out of the twelve (12) presumed extinct endemic subspecies from Cebu were confirmed extant. Surveys further confirmed the presence of the supposedly extinct Citrine Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa helianthea and the MetallicWood Pigeon Columba vitiensis. Surviving populations of threatened and endemic birds of Cebu largely depend on the existence of forest patches. These patches are highly threatened by various factors. Unless protective measures are carried out, the survival of these species remains questionable ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF NESTING BLUE-AND YELLOW MACAWS (Ara ararauna) IN Mauritia PALM SWAMPS. Bravo, Adriana; BRIGHTSMITH, DONALD. Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Duke University, Department of Biology, Durham NC, USA (djb4((AT))duke.edu). Most species of large macaws are endangered or declining throughout their ranges. Despite the recent increase in studies of psittacids, information on their reproduction and management is still scarce. In SE Peru Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) nested in dead Mauritia flexuosa palms in swamps dominated by this palm species. Macaws selected the tallest dead palms in healthy palm swamps, but used palms of all heights in open dieing palm stands. All nesting palms rose well above the surrounding vegetation, presumably to discourage terrestrial predators. PVC nest boxes hung on M. flexuosa palms failed to attract nesting Blue-and-yellow Macaws. A small section of palm swamp was managed to encourage macaw nesting by cutting the tops off of M. flexuosa palms and clearing the understory vegetation. The cut palms remained standing from 4 to 7 years and were occupied by nesting macaws at a rate of 24%. The data presented here suggest that cutting five palms a year in perpetuity would produce a stand of approximately 20 standing dead palms useable by macaws. Such a management scheme could be used to increase reproductive success of Blue-and-yellow Macaw populations, concentrate macaw nesting in protected areas and create valuable ecotourism resources LARGE TREES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WETLAND BIRDS IN THE PANTANAL OF BRAZIL. CHRISTIANINI, ALEXANDER V.; Cestari, César. Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, C.P. 6109, 13.083-970, Brazil, avc((AT))unicamp.br (AVC). Departamento de Zoologia, Insituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, C.P. 199, 13.506-000, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil (CC). The Pantanal harbors a rich fauna with numerous threatened species. The abundance of birds is especially attractive for thousands of ecotourists that visit the Pantanal every year. However, landscape change is increasing in the area. The need for higher cattle production in smaller areas has being achieved by deforestation and selective logging. We investigated whether the diameter and height of trees determine the selection of nest sites by wetland birds. We monitored the reproduction of a large mixed species colony of wetland birds along the Rio Negro basin, south Pantanal, during one year. We compared the traits of trees used as nest sites by herons, cormorants, and anhingas with the general tree community that runs along the river. Sampling of trees was done in six 50 x 50 m plots located at random in the riverine forests. Wetland birds showed a marked preference for large trees that occur just along non-disturbed portions of the riverine forests. The conservation of non-disturbed patches of riverine forests should be a priority in bird conservation programmes, what will also contribute to keep the appealing of wetland birds for ecotourism in the Pantanal THE CHALLENGE OF PRESERVING VARZEA BIRDS: ECOLOGICAL SPECIALIZATION WITHOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTANCY AND LOCAL ENDEMISM WITHOUT GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS. COHNHAFT, MARIO; Naka, Luciano N.; Fernandes, Alexandre M. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Coleções Zoológicas, Campus II, C.P. 478, Manaus, AM 69083, Brazil, mario((AT))buriti.com.br. The floodplain forests of Amazonian muddy-water rivers contain an endemic avifauna with very specific microhabitat specialization, associated mostly with primary successional stages. To colonize such constantly moving habitats in the face of natural riverine dynamics, varzea birds must be excellent dispersers. If, on the one hand, this trait should help protect their populations against the effects of local anthropogenic habitat alteration, it should also increase long-distance gene flow among populations and reduce the probability of local endemism. Counterintuitively, however, our recent field work revealed the presence of distinct areas of avian endemism within the varzea along the Brazilian Amazon River, loosely delimited by major tributaries. Conservation of varzea birds, then, requires not only large reserves to guarantee the presence of all microhabitats in their constantly changing mosaic, but also widely distributed reserves to represent all areas of endemism. The apparent resilience and tolerance to alteration of varzea species should permit their coexistence with human populations in such conservation contexts as "sustainable development" and "extractivist" reserves. However, major alterations to natural hydrology and water quality such as caused by hydroelectric dams, especially in upstream regions, could endanger the entire varzea avifauna and all its areas of endemism at once BIRDS AS A CONSERVATION TOOL FOR BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR MONITORING IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST ECOREGION: A STUDY CASE IN MISIONES, ARGENTINA. ZURITA, GUSTAVO A.; Varela, Diego M.; Rey, Nicolás R.; Arienti, Cecilia M. Conservación Argentina, CEBBAD Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775 6º piso, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gazurita((AT))arnet.com.ar (GAZ, DMV, NRR, CMA). Laboratorio de Ecología de Comunidades y Macroecología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina (GAZ). Biological corridors are one of the best strategies for Atlantic forest conservation, whereas in most cases its effectiveness is unknown. Since 2002 we implemented a conservation project in a corridor between two protected area separated by 3 kilometers in Misiones (Argentina), in one of the majors remnants of Atlantic forest ecoregion. Bird use of the corridor is monitored through a long term banding program. We established 10 permanent sampling sites inside the corridor with 10 mist nets on each one. At the moment we captured 72 species (4500 hours/net). The 76% of the captured species (58) presents in protected areas use the corridor whereas Campyloramphus falcularius, Dendrocolaptes fuliginosa, Haplozpiza unicolor and two Phylidor were restricted to protected areas. Richness and diversity decreased from protected areas to the center of the corridor. Banded individuals of Trichotraupis melanops, Habia rubica, Leptopogon amaurocephalus and Lepidocolaptes fuscus move more than 1 km through the corridor. This monitoring program provide the information to identify important routes to birds movements between protected areas and to select key areas for forest restoration and protection inside the corridor. The connectivity between protected areas is not fully ef- ficient because at least 25% of the species don't use the corridor POPULATION SIZE AND STRUCTURE OF THE THREATENED YELLOW-NAPED PARROT Amazona auropalliata ON THE NICOYA PENINSULA OF COSTA RICA. MATUZAK, GREG. Amigos de las Aves USA, 22318 Walnut Street, Wildomar, CA 92595, USA; (gmatuzak((AT))hotmail.com). The Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata) is a threatened species and it is declining throughout its range. On the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, a population assessment of this species was conducted through implementing evening roost counts 90 minutes before sunset over an entire year. Population counts ranged from 0 to 300 individuals, with daily count averages ranging between 52 during the nesting/dry season (January to June) to 127 during the wet season (July to November). The roosting site, the Tortuga Islands, located off the coast of Curú National Wildlife Refuge, was also documented to be a nesting site for the species. Family groups (groups of 3 - 4 parrots) were documented during counts and ranged from a low of 1 in May to a high of 19 in October. The young to adult ratio in the population during this time period ranged from a low of 2.1% to a high of 14%. The roosting area being connected to other roost sites and changes in seasonal food availability appear to explain seasonal changes in abundance during roost counts. Regional conservation initiatives for the species should include all nearby roosting sites that exist for this species in the area GAP ANALYSIS AND CONSERVATION PRIORITIES FOR THREATENED PARROTS OF COLOMBIA. VELÁSQUEZ-TIBATA, JORGE; López-Arévalo, Hugo F. Department of Ecology and Evolution, 650 Life Sciences Building, Stony Brook University, NY 11794, USA, jorvelt((AT))hotmail.com (JVT). Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, A. A. 7495, Bogotá, DC, Colombia, hlopez((AT))unal.edu.co (HFLA). This study identified conservation gaps and priority areas for protection of threatened parrots in Colombia. Representation targets were set for all species on the basis of their distribution ranges. Parrot distribution ranges and maps from two protected area types were overlaid to determine if representation targets were met by the existing protected area network. Given that representation targets were not met for any species, we used irreplaceability and vulnerability measures to identify priority areas for conservation outside the network. Prioritary areas identified by this study are concentrated on mo untainous regions, where most human pressure is and where the greatest number of bird species are found, including threatened and endemics. Priority areas total 1% of Colombia's continental surface, and if they were protected would cover 26 gap bird species of conservation concern and increase the representation targets a further 88.4%. Nonetheless, priority site conservation would not by itself ensure persistence of parrot populations, and therefore further management actions within reserves and enhancement of landscape connectivity among reserves is needed. Capacity building among decision makers is a vital step towards increasing the use of this kind of approach for conservation planning in Colombia HOW MUCH AREA DO BIRDS NEED: INSIGHTS FROM RADIOTELEMETRY. VEGA RIVERA, JORGE H.; Rappole, John H.; Haas, Carola A. Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, UNAM, Aptdo Postal 21, San Patricio, Jalisco, 48980, México; jhvega((AT))ibiologia.unam.mx (JHVR). Conservation and Research Center, 1500 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 24060, jrappole((AT))crc.si.edu (JHR); Virginia Polytechnic Inst and State University, Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife Sc., Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA, cahaas((AT))vt.edu (CAH). We used radio-telemetry and geographical information systems to study landscape movements, area requirements, and habitat use during the breeding and post-breeding periods of two migratory bird species: wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) and scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) on the temperate deciduous forest of eastern U. S. A., and two resident species: ivory-billed woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster) and citreoline trogon (Trogon citreolus) on the tropical deciduous forest of western Mexico. While habitat use at a macro level did not appear to change significantly between breeding and post-breeding periods for both migratory species, it was apparent that some factor or combination of factors, presumably related to habitat, favored home-range shifts. Regarding resident tropical species, we found that the insectivorous Ivory-billed Woodcreeper showed site attachment, frugivorous Citreoline Trogon were restricted to a few ha during the breeding season, but moved over larger areas during the nonbreeding season. Our results suggest that protection of nesting areas alone will not ensure adequate protection for the species living on extreme seasonal environments. An integrated regional approach to habitat protection that considers the needs of these species throughout the life cycle will have a more realistic chance of preserving an ecosystem's diversity URBAN EXPANSION AT A HOTSPOT: AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING BASED ON BIRD CONSERVATION. VASCONCELOS, MARCELO F.; Lamas, Ivana R.; Fernandes, Alexandre M.; Resende, Saulo R. O. Sete Soluções e Tecnologia Ambiental, Av. Getúlio Vargas 1420, 16º andar, Savassi 30112-021 Belo Horizonte MG Brasil (MFV, AMF, SROR), sete((AT))sete-sta.com.br; Conservation International - Brazil Program Av. Getúlio Vargas 1300, 7º andar, Savassi, 30112-021 Belo Horizonte MG Brazil (IRL) i.lamas((AT))conservacao.org. The southern Espinhaço Range is a priority area for bird conservation in the state of Minas Gerais, southeast Brazil. Nevertheless, natural habitats of this region have been degraded by a series of human activities, including rapid urban expansion. This study aims to present the results obtained during an ecological mapping project based on the avifauna distribution and conservation. The study was conducted at Vale dos Cristais, a region of urban expansion at Nova Lima municipality, southern Espinhaço Range. The area is located in contact zones of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, two globally recognized hotspots for biodiversity conservation. Bird surveys were conducted based on observations and using mist-nets between December 2001 and January 2002. We recorded 131 bird species in the study area, including threatened species in Minas Gerais (e. g. Dusky-legged Guan Penelope obscura and Cinereous Warbling-finch Poospiza cinerea), endemic species of the Cerrado (e. g. Collared Crescentchest Melanopareia torquata and Blue Finch Porphyrospiza caerulescens), and endemics of the Atlantic Forest (e. g. Red-eyed Thornbird Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus and Gilt-edged Tanager Tangara cyanoventris). The study for urbanization at Vale dos Cristais was projected taking into account the natural corridors of native vegetation and the most relevant habitats for bird conservation BIRDS AS CONSERVATION SURROGATE IN FRAGMENTED ATLANTIC FOREST LANDSCAPES. UEZU, ALEXANDRE; Metzger, Jean Paul. Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 321, travessa 14, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, aleuezu((AT))usp.br (AU, JPWM). IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, Rodovia Dom Pedro I, Km 47 Caixa Postal 4712960 Nazaré Paulista, SP, Brazil (AU). We evaluated how different functional groups of birds respond to fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest in the Pontal do Paranapanema region. Point counts for forest birds were carried out during the period of 2002-2004, in 21 patches and seven sites in a control reserve, the Morro do Diabo State Park (36,000 ha). Species showed different responses to fragmentation. We identified four types of sensitivity: species highly affected, affected, not affected and benefited. Functional groups which are more vulnerable are: i. Atlantic Forest endemic species, possibly due to the region being located in the extreme of this bioma; ii. Species that use only one or two types of forest, possibly related to their lower flexibility to occupy degraded areas and iii. Species sensitive to human disturbance according to literature, which predicts species' responses in the region. The State Park plays an essential role for the most affected groups; conversely, medium and small patches have little contribution. For these latter, intrinsic factors (size and quality) seem to be critical, which indicates that management to protect patches and allow the vegetation to recover is crucial. Additionally, it is necessary to increase landscape connectivity to permit bird recolonization THE CONSERVATION OF THE RED-TAILED AMAZON PARROT (Amazona brasiliensis) IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ - BRAZIL. SIPINSKI, ELENISE A. B.; Bóçon, Roberto. SPVS - Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental, Rua Gutemberg, 296, Curitiba, PR, CEP 80420 Brazil, papagaio((AT))spvs.org.br. This project began in 1997 with environmental education actions in the municipality of Guaraqueçaba, in the northern coast of Paraná, an occurrence area of 70% of this species' population. They focused on promoting awareness within the local community and environmental agencies, informing them about the Atlantic Forest biodiversity, the threats to this specie this endemicity, and the illegal trade of wildlife. In 1998, the project was expanded with research and management actions. Since then the following results have been obtained. In the main reproduction site, the monitoring of 173 nests with an average 30% of breeding success, indicated the need of actions focusing on the protection of natural nests throught nest management, achieved by the placing of protective signs and artificial nests. The telemetric system indicated the species land requirements and movements. The census attested to a population of 4900 individuals in the State of Paraná. In 2003/2004, the project carried out a capacity-building programme for 22 local inhabitants of a neighbouring area community of the Superagüi National Park, promoting community-based tourism in the region. The actions have contributed to the protection of the biggest remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest LINKING FARMERS AND BIODIVERSITY: THE ROLE OF VULTURES AS NATURAL SCAVENGERS. SARRAZIN, FRANÇOIS; Bobbé, Sophie; Boumellassa, Houssein; Buronfosse, Thierry; Gault, Agnes. Laboratoire Conservation des Espèces, Restauration et Suivi des Populations, UMR 5173 MNHN-CNRS-UPMC, 61 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France, sarrazin((AT)) mnhn.fr (FS, AG). CETSAH, EHESS (ESA 8037 CNRS), 22 rue d'Athènes, 75009 Paris, France; and INRA, équipe STEPE 63-65, boulevard de Brandebourg, 94204 Ivry-sur-Seine, France (SB). UMR 210 Économie publique INRA-INA PG, INRA, Centre Versailles-Grignon, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France (HB). CNITV - Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon -1, avenue Bourgelat - BP 83 - 69280 Marcy l'Étoile, France (TB). The negative impact of agriculture on biodiversity is often discussed but counter examples can be identified, e. g. the restoration of Griffon Vultures populations in France largely relies on mortality in livestock. Due to veterinary legislation, leaving carrions in the wild was forbidden and only tolerated on 'feeding places' managed by conservationists or, more recently, by farmers. However, due to BSE and other diseases, carrion management became an important task at the European scale. In this context, we launched a multidisciplinary study to assess the efficiency and viability of the system, for both farmers and vultures. An ethnological approach of the role of scavengers as 'carrion managers' showed that the management of feeding places by farmers might reinforce the positive image of these birds. An economic approach assessed the costs and benefits of various strategies of carrion management for each partner. An ecotoxicological study focused on the possible impact of livestock treatments on scavenger populations. Finally, behavioural analyses showed that despite feeding places being easily found by vultures, they did not prevent them foraging on other resources. This program was thus useful to optimize both carrion destruction and vulture populations viability and provide management recommendations at regional and international scales BIRD BANDING AND MONITORING AT THE SIERRA DE MANANTLÁN: CHALLENGES OF LONGTERM POPULATION STUDIES IN THE NEOTROPICS. SANTANA C., EDUARDO; Contreras M., Sarahy. Instituto Manantlán de Ecología y Conservación de la Biodiversidad- DERN, Universidad de Guadalajara-CUCSUR, Ave. Independencia Nacional, 151, Autlán, Jalisco, México C.P. 48900. esantana((AT)) megared.net.mx. The Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve in West Mexico is one of the 150 priority Important Bird Areas in North America. During the past 15 years the avian research program has amassed over 1,000 point-counts, 60,000 net/hours of sampling with mistnets and more than 33,000 bird captures, making the site the most intensively sampled humid montane forest in the Neotropics. Information on the effects of forest succession on abundance, survival and breeding success of migratory and resident birds has been used to elaborate management plans and environmental impact statements. Continuity has been possible by coping with constantly changing conditions, where we have learned that the following themes should be explicitly addressed to assure long-term effectiveness: linking monitoring to management by defining who, when, where, and how the results will be used; assuring financial continuity; working maintaining skilled-trained field personnel as part of the natural project turnover process; assuring transportation and site logistics; identifying stability of land-use in study area; clear publication and data management arrangements; maintaining student-professional training component; and generating local support through outreach and environmental education activities. The project has served as a catalyst for initiating the National Bird Monitoring Program in the Natural Protected Areas of Mexico BIRD ASSEMBLAGES IN SLASH-AND-BURN SUCCESSIONAL FOREST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA, MEXICO. SALGADO-ORTIZ, JAVIER; Raleigh, J. Robertson. Dept. of Biology, Queen's University, K7L 3N6, Kingston, On. Canada. Successional forest resulting from slash-and burn agriculture is becoming increasingly common throughout the Neotropics, still, its importance for biodiversity conservation remains underestimated. We used fixed radius point counts to sample the avifauna along a successional gradient at the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico to assess the value of secondary forest for conservation of the local avifauna. Mature forest had the highest species richness, but did not differ significantly from that of 20- 30 years old secondary forest. Bird composition of early stages of succession differed significantly from older stages resulting in higher species richness along the successional gradient compared to mature forest alone. Close examination of distribution of individual species revealed that 42% of them are highly dependent on mature and older successional forest, thus are likely to decline in absence of these habitats. The results of our study indicate that regional bird diversity in human managed landscapes of the Yucatan Peninsula can be maximized through slash-and-burn agriculture. Allowing long fallow periods (>20 years) and the maintenance of a heterogeneous landscape that includes all stages of succession and mature forest is necessary to ensure the long-term conservation of the local avifauna MOUNTAIN FOREST LOSS IN RWANDA: EFFECT ON BIRD DIVERSITY. RUZIGANDEKWE, FIDELE. Rwanda Wildlife Agency / Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Park (ORTPN), 1 Boulevard de la Revolution, PoBox 905 Kigali, Rwanda. The objective of the study was to (1) analyse the impact of demographic, socio economic and political factors on the loss of the Rwanda's mountain forests over the last century; (2) to track the concomittant change in avifaunal diversity following the habitat loss and degradation and to make predictions over the future conservation of these forests. Spatial and temporal patterns were determined though the analysis using GIS of historical maps, aerial photographs and satelite imagery as well as the existing ornithological data. The coverage of mountain forest in Rwanda has shrunk by 49,23% between 1934 and 2003. The main factor was the tree cutting for human resettlement and farming in order to accommodate a rapidly growing population. The lowest altitudinal levels were the most severely impacted (64.4% forest lost between 1600-1800m). A theoretical mesure of bird susceptibility to forest loss was developped that allowed the ranking of forest birds according to their vulnerability. Species were also ranked in a broader conservation framework based on the estimated proportion found in Rwanda. In total 12 forest bird species need particular conservation attention due to their restricted global range and their high susceptibility to forest loss. It was estimated that there will be no mountain forests remaining in Rwanda over the next 50 years, should the current rate of forest loss persist. The cost of such a situation would be very high for the Rwanda population because the overall economic cost of converting the remaining mountain forest into agricultural land far outweigh those for their conservation PREDICTING CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION IN AVIAN DIVERSITY ACROSS AN ENDANGERED LANDSCAPE, THE PANAMA CANAL CORRIDOR. ROMPRE, GHISLAIN; Robinson,W. Douglas; Angehr, George; Desrochers, Andre. Centre de recherche en biologie forestière, Faculté de foresterie & géomatique, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada, G1K 7P4 (GR, AD), ghislain.rompre.1((AT))ulaval.ca. Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, And Oak Creek Lab of Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA, 97331 (WDR), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948 (G.A). Local bird species richness is influenced by many biological and physical factors. Disruptions in the processes influencing richness will lead to degradation of diversity over time. Actual degradation occurring to natural habitat, similar to bird species richness, is not uniformly distributed. We studied the patterns of bird species richness distribution in the forest fragments in the canal corridor, Panama. Then we derived a series of habitat loss scenarios based on projections of human population growth. In order to predict bird species loss, we used a species-area relationship model that includes both richness distribution patterns and non-random human effects on habitat. Results show that bird species richness varies significantly across a regional rainfall gradient, fragment size, forest type, altitude and topography. Similarly, forest conversion to urban areas or agriculture is influenced by annual rainfall, topography, human population densities, growth rates, and near est distance to cities and major roads. In addition to reduced fragment size, isolation of the remaining patches exacerbates species loss. Pacific slope forests, which have lower bird diversity and are closest to the country's capital (Panama City), are at greater risk of deforestation if conservation actions are not taken ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC BIRDS AND MAMMALS IN STRICT PROTECTED AREAS IN COLOMBIA AND VENEZUELA: ARE THEY WELL PROTECTED? Rodríguez, Jon Paul; LAZO, RODRIGO; Armas, Manuel; Gutiérrez, Eliécer; Ruiz, Augusto; Tapiquén, Efraín; Zambrano, Sergio; Solórzano, Luis Aníbal; Rojas-Suárez, Franklin. Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apdo. 21827, Caracas 1020-A, Venezuela, jonpaul((AT))ivic.ve (JPR, MA, EG, AR, ET, SZ); Centro Internacional de Ecología Tropical, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apdo. 21827, Caracas 1020-A, Venezuela, rlazop((AT))cantv.net (RL), Conservation International Venezuela, Av. San Juan Bosco, Edif. San Juan, Piso 8, Ofic. 8A, Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela (LAS, FRZ). Typically, gap analyses assess the presence-absence of target species in protected area networks, and suggest priority areas in the gaps thus identified. But does "presence" assure adequate conservation? Do analyses performed using different taxonomic groups agree? We explore these questions by implementing a geographical information system to quantify the proportion of the ranges of Colombian and Venezuelan birds and mammals included in these two countries' network of 129 strict protected areas. We focus on endemic or threatened species: 32 birds and 45 mammals in Colombia, and 47 birds and 14 mammals in Venezuela. In Colombia 12 birds and 4 mammals are absent from the network, while in Venezuela only 1 mammals is excluded (all birds are covered). If one focuses on species with small ranges (< 2,500 km 2) and low-level protection (<15% of range), the figures change to 14 birds and 1 mammal for Colombia, and 7 birds and 2 mammals for Venezuela. For birds, montane areas of the Andes and the Venezuelan coast are the principal gaps. For mammals, gaps are located in arid and dry tropical forest ecosystems in north western Venezuela and north eastern Colombia. Considering these two groups independently generates different conservation priorities IMPACT OF LAND USE ON THE BIRD COMMUNITY IN A CLOUD FOREST OF GUATEMALA - IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION. RENNER, SWEN C. Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, 1500 Remount Road, VA 22630 USA, swen.renner((AT))web.de. To evaluate conservation strategies to preserve the remaining natural cloud forests in Guatemala, the birds' populations of different habitats are determined by mark-recapture and distance sampling methods. The natural cloud forest is fragmented and reduced substantially to less then 50% of its original cover. It is surrounded by agriculture (corn), area of reforestation, and secondary growth. Within the different habitats, the species diversity and abundance are different, i. e. the abundance of species changes rapidly with deforestation. In many cases the diversity of several organisms temporarily increases in secondary growth compared with natural oak-pine cloud forest. Nevertheless this does not imply an optimal habitat. There might be species present without any breeding success. These populations need support by immigrating individuals from disjunct population patches (source-and-sink theory). The Guatemaltecian forests are used heavily by humans, and the remaining cloud forests are threatened by extinction. They are still sources for many bird populations but there are first indicators showing the pressure and the human impact. Some species like Blue-throated Motmot (Asphata gularis) or Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra) are rare and the populations are no longer reproducing successfully and sufficiently to maintain a stable population. An example from a different animal group is the Yucatan Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra). This species is crowded within the remaining forests. More than 60% of the area is not suitable for it because of too many small forest fragments THE INFLUENCE OF LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES ON AVIAN COMMUNITIES OF AGROECOSYSTEMS IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL. PENTEADO, MARLI; Verdade, Luciano M. Laboratório de Ecologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil (mpentead((AT))esalq.usp.br). Gerência Executiva, IBAMA, São Paulo, 01417-020, Brazil, marli.penteado((AT))ibama.gov.br. Agriculture is one of the human activities that most affect landscape ecology and consequently biodiversity distribution and abundance. In this study we investigate the landscape attributes and spatial patterns in a agro-ecosystem located in Passa-Cinco river basin, as subsidiary information to understand the abundance and distribution of avian species. The basin selected for the study can be considered a conveniente model since many anthropogenic processes could be replicated at spatial-temporal scales. We surveyed birds from August 2002 to January 2005 by point-counts in 16 sites of the four most important landscape attributes of the basin (native forest, Eucalyptus plantations, sugar cane plantation and exotic pastures) taking 4 largest patches of each, considering spatial distribution and logistics. Two hundred two avian species were registered in 44 samples. There was significant more species using native forest, with low relative abundance of a greater number of species. Sugar-cane habitats, while atracting diverse bird species in different phases of the grouth cycle, presents fewer number of species. It was also revealed a separation between forested and opened habitats, considering species richness. Eucalyptus had the smallest abundance, while exotic pastures had the highest. Finaly, we could sugest important changes in regional landscape, mitiganting the impact of agricuture, paper industry and livestock production and providing conection between the native forested and cerrado fragments CONSERVATION GENETICS OF NEOTROPICAL PARROTS. MIYAKI, CRISTINA Y. Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, cymiyaki((AT))ib.usp.br. Parrots are one of the avian groups with the highest number of endangered species and for over 13 years we have been applying molecular markers to aid in the conservation of neotropical taxa. Emphasis has been given to more endangered species, such as the extinct in the wild Cyanopsitta spixii and the vulnerable Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus. Data on genetic variability, parentage, sex identification, and population structure have been gathered and used in ex situ and in situ conservation programs. These results have been applied in: 1) the establishment of reproductive pairs in captive breeding programs (preferably pairing genetically less similar individuals), and 2) to better understand the biology of the species, including the analyses of sex ratio and genetic similarity of chicks sampled in the nest, the identification of a wild hybrid between two species, and the study of the population structure. The collaborations established with governmental and nongovernmental institutions have shown that the conservation of parrots is a long term task and poses many challenges. (Financial support: FAPESP, CNPq, CAPES) PREDICTING SPECIES GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTIONS BASED ON ECOLOGICAL NICHE MODELING FOR SPIX'S MACAW (Cyanopsitta spixii) IN BRAZIL. MATTOS, JULIANA C. F.; Carvalho Jr., Osmar A.; Guimarães, Renato F.; Machado, Ricardo B.; Barros, Yara M. Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Geografia, Laboratório de Sistemas de Informações Espaciais, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte. Brasília, D.F., Brasil 70910-900, frotamat((AT))hotmail.com (JCFM, OACJ, RFG). Conservação Internacional do Brasil, Brasília, D.F., Brazil (RBM). Coordenação Geral de Fauna, Diretoria de Fauna e Recursos Pesqueiros, IBAMA, Brasília, D.F., Brazil 70.818-900 (YMB). The most recent method used to predict species geographic distributions is the use of Ecological Niche Models. The program DesktopGarp (Peterson, 2001), is a program that links distributional information with information on land use and protection to identify priorities of conservation action. The result analysis may indicate either areas that have a higher chance of eventually finding remaining groups or populations of the species, as well as indicate the specific area with the highest probability of finding the proper habitat conditions of the species. We used this method in order to determine the potential occurrence area of the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii). This bird is one of the most threatened species in the world, and is now classified as extinct in nature according to the official Brazilian list of endangered species. According to IBAMA, a captivity breeding program is the only option available to be able to recover this species from going extinct. The individuals that are bred in captivity will eventually be reintroduced into its natural habitat. The resulting map models of the analysis correspond to the best estimate of the potential occurrence areas of the species with the most proper habitat conditions for the reintroduction of Spix's Macaws CONSERVATION OF UNDERSTORY BIRDS IN THE SE ATLANTIC RAIN FOREST, BRAZIL: CORRIDOR AND FRAGMENT SIZE EFFECTS. MARTENSEN, ALEXANDRE CAMARGO; Metzger, Jean Paul; Pimentel, Rafael. Department of Ecology, Bioscience Institute - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil. martensen((AT))terra.com.br. We investigated the effects of fragment size and corridor on the understory bird community in an Atlantic Forest region, one of the richest and most threatened forests worldwide. We studied two landscapes with 10,000 ha each: a fragmented (FL) and a forested one (CL). Seventeen fragments with different sizes (1 to 125ha) and connectivity (with/without corridors) and 4 areas in the CL were sampled with mist-nets in a total effort of ca.11,300 hours/net (ca.540 hours/net/site). Seventy-one species were captured (46CL and 64FL), seven only in the CL whereas 25 only in FL, most of these were edge species. Richness varies according to fragment size (F3;10=4.12, p=0.03) and connectivity (F1;5=20.29, p=0.006) when considering small fragments (<5ha). Corridor effects were not statistically significant for medium fragments (F1;4=0.02, p=0.88). Species richness and composition were significantly different in fragments with <50ha when compared to control areas, while large fragments (>50ha) were similar (richness, U=0.0973, p=0.4613). Thus, size and connectivity were important factors affecting bird community. Despite the effects of fragmentation, patches <50ha could harbor a large amount of species and might play an important role in species maintenance in fragmented landscapes, and corridors can be used as a tool to improve connectivity between fragments HOW MANY BIRDS ARE THREATENED IN BRAZIL? Marini, Miguel Â.; GARCIA, FREDERICO I. Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70.919-900, Brazil, marini((AT))unb.br.ABSTRACTS Universidade de Brasília, Brazil, July 2005 Brazilian birds have been classified with respect to threat category by IUCN (2004) in an analysis of globally threatened species and by the Brazilian Environmental Institute (IBAMA 2003) in an analysis of nationally threatened birds. IUCN lists 124 species, whereas IBAMA lists 160 bird taxa. A merging of these two lists has a total of 193 bird taxa. These lists, however, have only 91 (47%) species in common, 69 taxa (25 species and 44 subspecies) listed only by IBAMA and 33 species listed only by IUCN. Disagreements between these lists include the consideration of subspecies by IBAMA and disagreement in the existence of some species in Brazil. Differences between the threatened categories among the species listed by both sources have a disagreement of only 16%. The most important disagreements between lists involve 21 species that are listed by only one source and classified either as endangered or critically endangered. Other disagreement is in the definition of extinct: four species are considered extinct in the wild by IBAMA and only one by IUCN. Special efforts should be made by ornithologists to reevaluate their criteria and reach a consensus about the list and the threat categories of threatened birds in Brazil NEW ACOUSTIC CENSUS TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE SURVEYS OF TROPICAL FOREST BIRDS. LUTHER, DAVID. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Curriculum of Ecology, 217 Miller Hall, CB#3275, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3275, USA, (dluther((AT))unc.edu). Tropical rainforest destruction is occurring at an alarming rate, endangering the species that live in these threatened ecosystems. Conservation efforts to protect species and their threatened habitats depend upon reliable estimates of species diversity. To improve estimates of tropical avian species diversity, I have developed an avian census method designed for the tropics that combines audio tape recordings with traditional standardized point counts. The tape recordings provide permanent records that allow researchers to repeatedly listen to each sample to confirm detections. Using data collected at the Rio Cristalino Private Reserve in the southern Amazon Basin, I created saturation curves to determine the optimal amount of time per morning and number of visits per site necessary to efficiently maximize the number of species detected. The point censuses were also replicated at short intervals of distance (100 meters) and time (2 days) to provide estimates of temporal and spatial variation in avian communities. This method will provide reliable census data that will aid scientists and conservationists as they develop and improve tropical forest conservation strategies NESTING SUCCESS IN CRITICALLY THREATENED BLUE-THROATED MACAWS Ara glaucogularis IN BOLIVIA: INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES AND RECRUITMENT ENHANCEMENT. KYLE, TOA; Gilardi, James D. World Parrot Trust-Bolivia, Casilla #101, Trinidad, Beni, Bolivia, kyle((AT))worldparrottrust.org. World Parrot Trust, 725 Peach Place, Davis, CA, USA, 95616, gilardi((AT))worldparrottrust.org. Harvested to a near-extinction for the international pet trade, the Blue-throated Macaw Ara glaucogularis is now the most critically threatened wild macaw; 70-100 individuals remain loosely distributed over a vast area of 27,000 km². Concerns about disturbance of adults and low recruitment prompted an initial study of nesting in 2002. We report here on 22 nesting attempts durin and 2004. Nests were frequently usurped by larger Blueand- Yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna, 27%, n=6) or suffered predation (18%, n = 4) by Toco Toucan Ramphastos toco (n=2), Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens (n=1), and one unidenti- fied predator (n=1). Permission to actively intervene and facilitate nesting success was granted late in 2004 when two nests remained active, each with one chick. Both nests were actively managed to successful fledging in late January 2005. These nesting pairs faced manifold threats including harassment from other parrots, raptors, and bats, as well as ecto- and endoparasites and undiagnosed weight loss in one chick. Remedies to most threats proved straightforward and effective, suggesting that intensive and active management of Blue-throated Macaw nests enhances recruitment. Disease studies in sympatric parrots and conservation management of select captive birds may also play essential roles in the species' recovery EFFECTS OF FOREST FRAGMENTATION ON BEHAVIOUR AND POPULATION- ECOLOGY OF SELECTED BIRD SPECIES OF THE MATA ATLÂNTICA IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO. HANSBAUER, MIRIAM MELANIE; Storch, Ilse; Pimentel, Rafael; Metzger, Jean Paul; Leu, Stephan; Borntraeger, Robert; Nieto Holguin, Juan; Hettich, Ulf. Wildlife Research and Management Unit, MunichXIX Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology ABSTRACTS University of Technical Sciences, Munich, Germany, Miriam- Melanie((AT))web.de (MMH, RB, UH); Department of Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Freiburg; Freiburg, Germany (IS, SL, JPNH); Department of Ecology, University of São Paulo; São Paulo, Brazil (RP, RI, JPM). Deforestation proceeds rapidly due to urban development and agriculture, and is therefore a major challenge for biodiversity conservation - worldwide, as well as in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The objective of our study is to assess how forest fragmentation and landscape features affect the movements of different forest bird species, since survival of forest birds may partly depend on the species' ability to move between fragments. In the fragmented area of Caucaia (Cotia, SP) we use radio telemetry on three forest bird species: Chiroxiphia caudata (Pipridae), Pyriglena leucoptera (Thaminophilidae) and Sclerurus scansor (Furnariidae). The position and hence movements of tagged individuals are documented. Vegetation structure related to individual bird occurrence is analysed to see habitat preferences. The birds used areas of about 7 ha (C. caudata), 15 ha (P. leucoptera), and 11 ha (S. scansor). Results are preliminary and do not yet allow conclusions regarding bird response to fragmentation. All results will be analysed in a landscape context to see, if fragment size, vegetation structure within the fragments, connectivity of the fragments, matrix structure, or forest cover within the landscape have an influence on bird behaviour. This will contribute to optimising landscape planning for maintaining biodiversity within fragmented forest landscapes of the Mata Atlântica THE MANAGEMENT OF ARTIFICIAL NESTS IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE RED-TAILED AMAZON PARROT (Amazona brasiliensis). BÓÇON, ROBERTO; Sipinski, Elenise A. B.; Kawai, Artur.; Rivera, Rafael de. SPVS - Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental, Rua Gutemberg, 296, Curitiba, PR, CEP 80420-030, Brazil, Amazona((AT)) spvs.org.br. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest depicts today about 7% of its original cover. The environmental alterations this biome has suffered have affected the survival of several bird species, among which the red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis), an endemic and endangered species that nests preferably in natural hollows in dead or living trees. The indiscriminate removal of such trees has interfered with its reproduction, causing pressure on its population. This work intends to install artificial nests for the maintenance of the species population in the region of Guaraqueçaba, Paraná - Brazil. Wooden nests with the dimensions of 79 cm high, cm deep, 15x16 cm of opening diameter and with internal dimensions of 20x16 cm have been built. In the breeding season of 2003/2004, 15 nest-boxes have been installed, with an occu- pation rate of 86,6%. In the breeding season of 2004/2005, 26 nest-boxes have been installed, with an occupation rate of 54%. These are considered high rates when compared with experiments involving other psittacidae. The success in the occupation of the artificial nests in the reproduction sites of the Amazona brasiliensis has proved a viable and efficient strategy in the conservation of the species. EFFECT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN FOREST PATCHES ON THE MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS BETWEEN THEM IN AN ATLANTIC FOREST LANDSCAPE. AWADE, MARCELO; Boscolo, Danilo; Metzger, Jean Paul. Rua Fer- não Dias, 98, apto. 71, São Paulo, SP, 05427-010, Brazil, marceloawade((AT))yahoo.com.br (MA). Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil, (DB, JPWM). The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened biomes, represented greatly by short and isolated forest fragments and the functional connectivity, which refers to the biological responses to the landscape structure, is poorly known. Understand how species percieve the enviroment arround their habitats is essencial to biodiversity conservation. Our objectives were verify the effect of the distance between Atlantic forest fragments, isolated by pastures or agriculture, on the occurrence of movements between them, for five bird species (Dysithamnus mentalis, Thamnophilus caerulescens, Automolus leucophthalmus, Chiroxiphia caudata e Basileuterus culicivorus), using playback trials. All species were able to cross open areas to reach other fragments. To three of them (D. mentalis, B. culicivorus e C. caudata) this displacements were related to the distance to be traversed. Chiroxiphia caudata exhibited the longest critical distance (81m) above which the movements were rare. Considering 80m as a threshold, this distances were esteemed short, since only 0,15% of the fragments in the landscape studied are connected. This may cause disrupted territories of these species and in alterations of the structure and dynamics of their populations, what is thought to influence the proneness to extinction of birds. Thus, more studies on functional connectivity are extremely necessary. BIRD DIVERSITY AND ENDEMISM IN NATIVE Polylepis FORESTS AND EXOTICS PLANTATIONS, NATIONAL PARK TUNARI, BOLIVIA. BALDERRAMA, JOSÉ ANTONIO. Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia, tangara_ sp((AT))hotmail.com. Only limited data have previously been published on the effect on fauna of " modern" institutionally promoted land-use of exotic plantation forestry, specially in such endangered habitat like the Polylepis forests. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects on the bird fauna of exotic plantation in the Tunari National Park. We collect data in three different types of habitat: a) Polylepis forests, b) Exotic plantations of Eucaliptus and Pinus and c) Mixed forests of native and exotics trees. We found that there were statistical differences in relation of diversity and abundance of bird species among natural vegetation and exotic plantations. In relation of endemism, this was clearly lower in exotic plantations and in mixed forests. We also took data in three fragments of Polylepis woodlands whit different type of matrix surrounding and there were statistical differences among the fragments, matrix whit exotics plantation had lower diversity, abundance and endemism, endangered birds like Poospiza garleppi are also absent of this native fragments due to impoverishment of habitat. We conclude that there are negative effects of exotic plantation on bird fauna, when the native vegetation is substituted whit exotic plantation and even when native vegetation is surrounded by exotic plantations. CONSERVATION PLANNING FOR LARGE MACAWS: CONSIDERATIONS OF SPATIAL USE. Adamek, Krista; POWELL, GEORGE; Albites, Mario; Aleman, Ulisis; Amable, Richard; Ccoycosi, Julio; Imunda, Segundo; Sandoval, Ivan; Sandoval, Silver. Conservation Science Program, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 USA, george.powell((AT))wwfus.org. We are studying habitat use by 2 species of large macaws, Ara chloroptera and A. ararauna in the Peruvian amazon. We monitored their movements thoughout the year with radio-telemetry. During breeding season, pairs of A. chloroptera maintained relatively small (300-400 ha) individual home ranges while pairs of A. ararauna foraged in completely overlapping areas, in groups of 7 - 30 individuals. Three breeding pairs of marked A. ararauna used the same 1,700 ha area, though they were infrequently together. After chicks fledged, pairs of A. chloroptera with young expanded their home ranges but remained in the same general vicinity, sometimes foraging in larger groups (6-10 individuals). In contrast, A. ararauna pairs moved beyond their breeding range, eventually shifting their centers of activity more than 35 km away before returning to their previous year's breeding sites. All marked individuals made this long-distance movement at around the same time, but not together. A. chloroptera that did not breed apparently used even larger areas during the non-breeding season, and some disappeared from the 0.5 million ha area we censused with over- flights. The expansive use of habitat by these macaws supports the need for conserving large blocks of Amazon forest. THE IMPORTANCE OF RIPARIAN FOREST FOR BIRD SPECIES RICHNESS IN ATLANTIC FOREST. ANJOS, LUIZ DOS; Aleixo, A.; Lopes, E. V.; Favaro, F. L.; Volpato, G. H.; Serafini, P.; Poletto, F. Departamento de Biologia Animal e Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, 86051-970, Brazil, llanjos((AT))sercomtel.com.br. We compared the bird community of the riparian forest with that of the surrounding upland forest in an Atlantic forest reserve, the Godoy State Park (GP), in northern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Point counts of unlimited distance were sampled monthly, from September-December 2001, in the upland and in the riparian forests. A total of 146 species were recorded; 42% of total species was strongly related to the riparian forest, 19% to the upland forest, and 39% to both types. Taking into account the abundances of the species in their guilds in a Correspondence Analysis, the large frugivore guild was the more closely related to the upland forest, while bamboo an d vine-tangles insectivores, edge omnivores, and edge insectivores were those more closely related to the riparian forest. Despite the stronger relation of the bird community to the riparian forest, the upland forest of GP seems crucial for conservation of some threatened species, as Aratinga auricapilla and Triclaria malachitacea. The heterogeneity of the GP, in terms of means the occurrence of upland and riparian forests, was crucial to its bird richness and it is expected that a reserve in Atlantic forest with less heterogeneity would have lower bird richness. THE EFFECT OF MATRIX PERMEABILITY ON IMMIGRATION OF 11 SPECIES OF UNDERSTORY INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. ANTONGIOVANNI, MARINA; Metzger, Jean Paul. Projeto Dinamica Biologica de Fragmentos Florestais (PDBFF/INPA), Manaus, AM, CP: 478, CEP:69011-970, Brazil, marina((AT))inpa.gov.br (MA, JPM). We test the influence of matrix permeability on the occurrence of immigrants of 11 species of understory insectivorous birds in forest fragments at the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP), near Manaus, Brazil. Surrounding matrix is composed of three vegetation types: second growth dominated by Cecropia spp.; second growth dominated by Vismia spp.; and open areas. To calculate the matrix permeability, we used a series of Landsat TM images from 1985 to 1992 and propose index that considers the distance between primary forest and the fragment and the resistance offered by the matrix. The resistance was inferred from the type and age of the matrix, with four simulated scenarios: P1- Cecropia is less resistant than Vismia; P2- Vismia is less resistant than Cecropia; P3- older second growth is less resistant than younger ones; P4- matrix structure or age does not affect resistance. We used logistic regression to examine the relationship between permeability values calculated by year, fragment, and landscape, with occurrence and immigration. The results indicate that older second growth dominated by Cecropia are more permeable to bird movements than is younger ones dominated by Vismia. The degree of isolation per se is not able to explain the immigration. Society for Conservation Biology - Brasilia 2005 News index | RSS | News Feed Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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