INVESTIGADORES
YORIO pablo Martin
artículos
Título:
Status and conservation of seabirds breeding in Argentina
Autor/es:
YORIO, P.; FRERE, E.; GANDINI, P.; CONWAY, W.
Revista:
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
Editorial:
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Referencias:
Año: 1999 vol. 9 p. 299 - 314
ISSN:
0959-2709
Resumen:
We present information on the current population
status of seabirds that breed along the Patagonian coast obtained between 1993
and 1995. A
total of 16 species, including two penguins, one petrel, five cormorants, three
gulls, three terns and two skuas, breed along the 3,400 km coast from
southern Buenos Aires (38°58S) to Tierra del Fuego (54°50S). Breeding
seabirds are not as abundant in coastal Argentina as it was previously thought.
Eleven of the 16 species have less than 5,000 pairs. The most abundant seabird
is the Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus
magellanicus with 870 thousand pairs, an order of magnitude higher than all
other species. Some seabirds, such as Magellanic Penguins, Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus, and Imperial Cormorants Phalacrocorax atriceps are relatively abundant and have a wide
distribution. Other seabirds, such as Red-legged Cormorants P. gaimardi, Olrogs Gulls L. atlanticus, and Dolphin Gulls L. scoresbii, have a highly restricted
distribution or nest in small colonies at a few sites in Argentina. The
Patagonian coast is one of the most pristine coastal ecosystems in the world
and, thus far, few seabirds are seriously threatened. However, oil pollution
and commercial fisheries are having a negative impact on some seabirds and some
colonies have shown recent declines. Current threats and impacts, including
pollution, fisheries, human disturbance, guano harvesting, and introduction of
alien species are discussed. There are currently 34 protected coastal areas,
although in many cases protection measures are not adequately enforced and some
areas with high seabird diversity and abundance still lack legal and effective
protection. Conservation actions and requirements, including direct actions,
monitoring, and research are suggested.