Density, habitat use, and opportunities for conservation of shorebirds in rice fields in southeastern South America

Worldwide, shorebirds are a major component of rice field avian biodiversity. Rice fields in Argentina and southern Brazil hold large numbers of shorebirds and have been recognized as important areas for migrating or wintering species. To develop successful shorebird conservation strategies, we need to understand geographic variation in shorebird abundance in rice fields as well as how bird use of rice fields varies over the rice growing cycle. We surveyed shorebirds in November and December in the main rice cultivation regions of interior Argentina and coastal Brazil to estimate shorebird densities using distance sampling and to evaluate densities of individual species at different stages of the rice cycle. We detected >7,000 shorebirds in rice fields, including a variety of Nearctic migrants. Density of resident species was generally low and showed no differences between countries. Densities of migratory taxa were higher and varied between Brazil and Argentina. Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) and Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) were the most common species in Argentina, but White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) and American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) were the most common species in Brazil. Pectoral Sandpiper density was nearly 8 times higher in Argentina than in Brazil; densities of the White-rumped Sandpiper and American Golden-Plover were 33 and 25 times higher in Brazil than in Argentina. Shorebird density was highest in lightly flooded paddies with rice height 7000 aves playeras en los campos de arroz, incluyendo una variedad de migrantes neárticos. La densidad de las especies residentes fue generalmente baja y no mostró diferencias entre países. Las densidades de los taxa migratorios fueron mayores y variaron entre Brasil y Argentina. Calidris melanotos y Tringa flavipes fueron las especies más comunes en Argentina, mientras que Calidris fuscicollis y Pluvialis dominica fueron las especies más comunes en Brasil. La densidad de C. melanotos fue casi ocho veces mayor en Argentina que en Brasil; las densidades de C. fuscicollis y P. dominica fueron 33 y 25 veces mayores en Brasil que en Argentina. La densidad de aves playeras fue mayor en los arrozales someramente inundados con alturas de arroz < 20 cm. Nuestros resultados confirman la importancia de los arrozales para las aves playeras en el sudeste de América del Sur y enfatizan la necesidad de evaluaciones detalladas para asegurar que las prácticas de manejo de los agroquímicos y del agua son amigables con la biodiversidad.Instituto de Recursos BiológicosFil: Dias, Rafael Antunes. Universidade Católica de Pelotas. Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação; BrasilFil: Blanco, Daniel E. Fundación Humedales/Wetlands International; ArgentinaFil: Goijman, Andrea Paula. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentin

Occupancy of avian foraging guilds in soybean fields and borders in Entre Ríos, Argentina: responses to vegetation structure and prey resources

Reconciling agriculture and biodiversity conservation is a challenge given the growing demand for agricultural products. In recent decades, Argentina has witnessed agricultural expansion and intensification affecting biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. Within agroecosystems, the level of habitat quality is critical for birds, and may depend on vegetation structure, availability of invertebrate prey, and the use of pesticides. Although the relationship between vegetation structure and avian occurrence has been widely studied, to our knowledge, there are no studies that also incorporate prey availability throughout the cycle of soybean crops in Argentina. We estimated and predicted the effects of land cover and temporal variation on the occurrence of avian foraging guilds in Entre Ríos, Argentina, in order to guide management related to potential ecosystem services provided by birds. We also estimated temporal effects of vegetation structure and insecticides on the main arthropod orders consumed by birds to evaluate prey availability. Methods: We conducted bird and arthropod surveys for 2 years along transects located in 20 randomly selected soybean fields (N = 60) and their adjacent borders (N = 78) throughout the crop growing season, in four seasons. We estimated avian occupancy, accounting for imperfect detection, and arthropod counts fitting generalized linear mixed models. Results: The number of native trees in field borders positively influenced the occurrence of most bird species, mainly insectivores. Granivore foliage gleaners, also were positively affected by grass height. Salliers and aerial foragers were weakly affected by distance to forest and native trees. In general, the availability of invertebrates to birds was highest during the third season. Arthropod counts in borders were greater during the last three crop stages than during the pre-sowing period. Conclusions: We found that with 10 to 15 native tree species in borders, coupled with a complex vegetation structure with shrubs and grasses, we could conserve a wide spectrum of insectivorous birds, and may contribute to the invertebrate pest control service. Vegetated field borders function as a refuge for arthropods, especially agriculturally beneficial taxa such as Hymenopterans. Finally, several groups of birds use the interior of the fields and could help control pests.Instituto de Recursos BiológicosFil: Goijman, Andrea Paula. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentina. University of Georgia. D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Estados UnidosFil: Conroy, Michael J. University of Georgia. D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources; Estados UnidosFil: Varni, Vanina Delia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Thompson, Jeffrey. Guyra Paraguay – CONACYT; Paraguay. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentina.Fil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentin

Exposure of Nonbreeding Migratory Shorebirds to Cholinesterase Inhibiting Contaminants in the Western Hemisphere

Migratory shorebirds frequently forage and roost in agricultural habitats, where they may be exposed to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides. Exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate compounds, common anti-cholinesterases, can cause sublethal effects, even death. To evaluate exposure of migratory shorebirds to organophosphorus and carbamates, we sampled birds stopping over during migration in North America and wintering in South America. We compared plasma Cholinesterase activities and body masses of individuals captured at sites with no known sources of organophosphorus or carbamates to those captured in agricultural areas where agrochemicals were recommended for control of crop pests. In South America, plasma acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activity in Buff-breasted Sandpipers was lower at agricultural sites than at reference sites, indicating exposure to organophosphorus and carbamates. Results of plasma Cholinesterase reactivation assays and foot-wash analyses were inconclusive. A meta-analysis of six species revealed no widespread effect of agricultural chemicals on Cholinesterase activity. However, four of six species were negative for acetylcholinesterase and one of six for butyrylcholinesterase, indicating negative effects of pesticides on Cholinesterase activity in a subset of shorebirds. Exposure to Cholinesterase inhibitors can decrease body mass, but comparisons between treatments and hemispheres suggest that agrochemicals did not affect migratory shorebirds' body mass. Our study, one of the first to estimate of shorebirds' exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides, suggests that shorebirds are being exposed to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides at specific sites in the winter range but not at migratory stopover sites. Future research should examine potential behavioral effects of exposure and identify other potential sites and levels of exposure.Instituto de Recursos BiológicosFil: Strum, Khara M. Kansas State University. Division of Biology; Estados UnidosFil: Hooper, Michael J. Texas Tech University. Institute of Environmental and Human Health; Estados UnidosFil: Johnson, Kevin A. Southern Illinois University. Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Lanctot, Richard B. United State Fish and Wildlife Service. Migratory Bird Management; Estados UnidosFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Sandercock, Brett K. Kansas State University. Division of Biology; Estados Unido

Primera aproximación a los daños por cotorras (Myiopsitta monachus) y su manejo en cultivos de pecán (Carya illinoinensis) en Argentina

Conocer las percepciones y experiencias sobre el daño por cotorras y su manejo en cultivos de pecán en nuestro país nos ayuda a orientar la investigación y el desarrollo de tecnologías de manejo adecuadas al contexto local de producción del cultivo.EEA ParanáFil: Canavelli, Sonia Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Cuatrin, Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: D´Alessio, Mariana. Asociación Civil Regional. Cluster de la Nuez Pecán; ArgentinaFil: Fracassi, Natalia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Goijman, Andrea Paula. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Adrian Claudio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Grassi, Ana Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Ferrer, José Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Concepción del Uruguay. Agencia de Extensión Rural Villaguay; ArgentinaFil: Frusso, Enrique Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Peyrou, Alejandro. Cámara Argentina de Productores de Pecán; ArgentinaFil: Poitevin, Adriana. Asociación Civil Regional. Cluster de la Nuez Pecán; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, María Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Profesional Asociado; Argentin

Monitoreo ambiental rural. Serie Audiovisuales. Monitoreo ambiental y sistemas productivos

Este nuevo material se plasma en el marco de las distintas estrategias que lleva adelante el INTA para asegurar la más amplia difusión técnica de su accionar, En esta oportunidad orientado y destinado principalmente al ámbito educativo, el cual contiene el resultado de diversas líneas de trabajo en Monitoreo Ambiental Rural. Se trata de una obra didáctica que cuenta con valiosa información relacionada a esta temática, toda ella vista desde una óptica que invita a la reflexión.Instituto de Recursos BiológicosFil: Medero, Laura Silvina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Coordinación Nacional Gestión Ambiental; Argentin

Manual de buenas prácticas para la conservación del suelo, la biodiversidad y sus servicios ecosistémicos. Area piloto Aldea Santa María, Entre Ríos

Este manual de buenas prácticas para la conservación del suelo, la biodiversidad y sus servicios ecosistémicos, desarrollado en el marco del proyecto GEF-PSE, representa la base técnica para el diseño del esquema de compensaciones en el sitio piloto Entre Ríos descrito anteriormente. Las propuestas técnicas contenidas en el manual recogen las experiencias de numerosos años de investigaciones del INTA en la temática, fueron validadas con productores y expertos de distintos organismos nacionales de investigación y su elaboración ha contado con la activa participación de las autoridades del gobierno provincial y organizaciones de productores locales. Se espera que al desarrollar esta propuesta técnica se estimule una mayor concientización entre productores y usuarios de la tierra sobre la importancia de los servicios ecosistémicos en los procesos productivos y en la aplicación de tecnologías agrícolas sustentables que favorezcan la provisión de los mismos a largo plazo. Todo ello redundará en mejoras en la productividad, la calidad de vida de las comunidades locales y la salud ambiental de los paisajes agrícolas.Instituto de Recursos BiológicosFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; ArgentinaFil: Wilson, Marcelo German. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Oszust, José Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentin

Multi-level analysis of bird abundance and damage to crop fields

Bird damage to agricultural crops is an important cause of economic loss for farmers worldwide. Predictive habitat models relating bird abundance and damage to characteristics of the agricultural environment at multiple scales are a key tool for designing management programs to reduce impacts of birds on agricultural production. In this study, we explored habitat features influencing abundance and damage of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) to corn (Zea mays) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) fields, as a basis for the design and evaluation of management strategies for preventing damage in the future. Using a multi-level approach, we evaluated within-field, field, and landscape variables at three spatial scales potentially related to monk parakeet abundance and damage in crop fields. Monk parakeet abundance and damage was greater in sunflower than in corn fields. Landscape variables, such as distance to nearest site with trees, percentage of landscape with trees, and availability of foraging sites for monk parakeets around the crop fields were more important than local variables in explaining monk parakeet damage to crop fields. However, local variables, such as field area, plant density and percentage of field border with trees, also were related to damage. Relationships varied depending on the crop under consideration and spatial scale of analysis. Based on this study, managers should consider both local and landscape factors when planning management measures to prevent bird damage to crops.EEA ParanáFil: Canavelli, Sonia Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; Argentina. University of Florida. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Estados UnidosFil: Branch, Lyn C. University of Florida. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; Estados UnidosFil: Cavallero, Pedro. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: González, Cristina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentin

¿Eligen las palomas y cotorras los lotes de soja (Glycine max) enemergencia? Un caso de estudio en agroecosistemas de Entre Ríos, Argentina = Do pigeons and parakeets choose soybean (Glycine max) crops during the emergence? A case studyon agroecosystems in Entre Ríos, Argentina

Las palomas y cotorras pueden resultar perjudiciales para cultivos anuales en algunas regiones de Sudamérica. En este estudio analizamospatrones de uso de hábitat de las palomas torcaza (Zenaida auriculata), manchada (Patagioenas maculosa) y picazuró (P. picazuro) y la cotorra(Myiopsitta monachus) durante la primera emergencia del cultivo de soja en Entre Ríos, Argentina. Se estimó el uso y la disponibilidad de hábitatsy se calculó la selección mediante intervalos de confianza de Bonferroni. Ninguna de las 4 especies seleccionó el cultivo de soja. La paloma torcazaseleccionó rastrojos de trigo y colza, las palomas picazuró y manchada seleccionaron hábitats con árboles nativos e introducidos; finalmente,la cotorra común seleccionó hábitats con árboles introducidos. Esto reforzaría la hipótesis de que estas especies solo seleccionaron lotes concotiledones de soja cuando existe escasez de granos en el ambiente. Asumiendo que esta hipótesis sea verdadera, una alternativa para disminuirda˜nos por aves en soja en emergencia sería disuadirlas de utilizar los lotes de soja, ofreciendo granos para atraerlas a otros sitios y evitar queda˜nen el cultivo. Esta disuasión podría lograrse haciendo coincidir el espacio y la temporalidad de la siembra de soja con la cosecha de cultivosinvernales, o bien ofreciendo granos como atrayentes para las aves.Pigeons and parrots can damage annual crops in some regions of South America. We analyzed bird damage patterns for Eared Doves (Zenaida auriculata), Spotted-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa), Picazuro Pigeon (P. picazuro), and Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), during the emergence first seedtime in soybean crops in Entre Ríos, Argentina. We estimated habitat use and availability. Habitat selection was estimated by means of Bonferroni confidence intervals. None of the 4 species selected soybean fields. Eared Doves selected wheat and canola stubbles. Picazuro Pigeon and Spotted-winged Pigeon showed strong selection for both native and introduced wooded habitats. Finally Monk Parakeet selected habitats with introduced trees. These results reinforce the idea that these species only selected fields with soybean cotyledons when there is a shortage of grain in the environment. An alternative to reduce bird damage in soybean crops first seedtime could be to offer grains in alternative places to attract them away from the soybean fields. Deterrence could be achieved by coordinating spatio-temporality soybean planting with harvest of winter grain crops, or by offering grains attractive to birds.EEA ParanáFil: Dardanelli, Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Fandiño, Blas. Santa Fe. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Calamari, Noelia Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Canavelli, Sonia Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentin

Variations in pest bird density in Argentinean agroecosystems in relation to land use and/or cover, vegetation productivity and climate

Context: Changes in environmental conditions may influence bird populations, including pest bird species, and their distribution. In Argentina, particularly in the Pampas region, agricultural expansion has resulted in important changes in agroecosystems, with impacts on bird species. Aims: This study analysed the relationship between pest bird densities and the environmental variables associated with land use and/or cover, vegetation productivity and climate. The study focused on the most important pest bird species to grain crops in Argentina and Uruguay: the eared dove (Zenaida auriculata) and the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). Methods: An area in Central Argentina was divided into three agro-productive regions, one predominantly agricultural and two with mixed production activities: agricultural rangeland and agricultural forested rangeland. Bird populations were sampled on a yearly basis between 2003 and 2011 in point-transects located along secondary roads (47 routes in total). Linear mixed models and a multi-model inference approach were used to compare the effects of individual predictive variables on bird densities. Key results: Mean estimated density for the eared dove was 0.39 individuals per ha (±0.02), almost three times the density of the monk parakeet (0.10 individuals per ha ± 0.02). The spatial distribution of changes in density of the eared dove and monk parakeet showed irregular patterns across the study area. Density of eared dove was directly related to cover of native and exotic woodlots and inversely related to cover of fallow and weedy fields, and to temperature and rainfall. Monk parakeet density, in turn, was directly related to cover of woodlots. Conclusions: The density of eared doves and monk parakeets changed mostly in relation to land use and/or cover and, to a lesser extent, to climatic conditions. Information of pest bird populations in a long-term period allowed us to understand spatial patterns in bird population distribution and to identify the main environmental factors explaining them. Implications: The consideration of land use and/or cover, vegetation productivity and climate variables at regional scale, measured during a long-term period, would be critical for anticipating population increases and, possibly, increases in crop damage.EEA ParanáFil: Calamari, Noelia Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Canavelli, Sonia Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Cerezo, Alexis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos; ArgentinaFil: Dardanelli, Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Bernardos, Jaime Nicolás. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Zaccagnini, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentin

Leg streamers for marking Chestnut-capped Blackbirds <i>Agelaius ruficapillus</i> in Argentina

Se condujeron estudios de campo y cautividad para evaluar el uso de las banda plásticas de colores en estudios de comportamiento del Varillero Congo (<i>Agelaius ruficapillus</i>) en una colonia reproductiva y en sitios de alimentación vecinos a la misma. En la colonia, las observaciones desde sitios ocultos muestran la utilidad del uso de las banda numeradas para la colección de datos sobre el comportamiento de los indiviudos. En los campos de arroz, si bien los números no se pudieron observar, se pudo delinear la distribución de los miembros marcados en la colonia. Se investigaron en condiciones de laboratorio y jaula, dos métodos de adhesión y dos de tipo de tintas para marcado de las banda