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Roadsides are key habitats for birds in the Argentine Pampas: conservation and management implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 December 2021

Daniela María Depalma Open the ORCID record for Daniela María Depalma [Opens in a new window] ,
Mariela Verónica Lacoretz Open the ORCID record for Mariela Verónica Lacoretz [Opens in a new window] ,
Cecilia Zilli ,
Emilio Martín Charnelli  and
Myriam Emilia Mermoz
Daniela María Depalma*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1428EGA-C.A.B.A), Argentina Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, CONICET. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1428EGA-C.A.B.A), Argentina
Mariela Verónica Lacoretz
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1428EGA-C.A.B.A), Argentina Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, CONICET. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1428EGA-C.A.B.A), Argentina
Cecilia Zilli
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1428EGA-C.A.B.A), Argentina
Emilio Martín Charnelli
Affiliation:
Sarmiento 1176, 7163 General Madariaga, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Myriam Emilia Mermoz
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, CONICET. Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1428EGA-C.A.B.A), Argentina
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Daniela María Depalma, Email: danimdepalma@gmail.com
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Summary

Unexploited public areas such as roadsides could provide habitat to help preserve biodiversity in South America, as in other regions. Our objective was to determine the importance of the roadsides of the Argentine Pampas for native birds and to suggest management strategies. We surveyed birds inhabiting roadsides in all seasons and determined whether roadsides were used as habitat. We recorded a total of 95 species on roadsides, which represents 55% of those species described from the area. Species included specialists of grassland, wetland and woodland, 4 vulnerable species and 19 declining species. Bird richness decreased in winter, as well as grassland specialists’ abundances. Most individuals used roadsides for foraging and performing reproduction-related behaviours, mainly on native trees; these and tall grass were the main substrates. We conclude that many species of birds use the habitat provided by roadsides, and we recommend management strategies such as favouring seed availability in winter, restoring trees and tall grass and increasing vegetation diversity to maximize roadside conservation value.

Keywords

habitat remnantshabitat uselinear landscape elementsmarginsroad networks
Type
Report
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 49 , Issue 1 , March 2022 , pp. 59 - 64
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Foundation for Environmental Conservation

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