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

ZILLI, CECILIA; MARIELA V. LACORETZ; MERMOZ, ME; DEPALMA, MARÍA DANIELA; CHARNELLI, EM

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2022 vol. 49 p. 59 - 64

0376-8929

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 roadsides of the Argentine Pampas for native birds and suggest management strategies. We surveyed birds inhabiting roadsides in all seasons, and determined if 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, four 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 recommend management strategies such as favouring seed availability in winter, restoring trees and tall grass, and increasing vegetation diversity, to maximise roadside conservation value.