INVESTIGADORES
CARDONI Daniel Augusto
artículos
Título:
Avian responses to varying intensity of cattle production in Spartina densiflora saltmarshes of south-eastern South America
Autor/es:
CARDONI, D.A; ISACCH, J.P.; IRIBARNE, O.O.
Revista:
EMU
Editorial:
CSIRO PUBLISHING
Referencias:
Lugar: Collingwood; Año: 2015 vol. 115 p. 12 - 19
ISSN:
0158-4197
Resumen:
Saltmarshes of Spartina densiflora in south-eastern South America have been modified by anthropogenic
activities, mainly production of livestock. We examined the effect of the intensity of cattle production on the structure of
saltmarsh vegetation and the effect of these changes to vegetation on the richness, composition and size of the avian
populations and the abundance of nests. The levels of cattle production were based on the combined intensity of prescribed
burning and cattle grazing, classed as: (1) High grazing ? High burning (HH), (2)Lowgrazing ?Lowburning (LL) and (3)No
grazing ? No burning (NN). Cattle production altered the vegetation structure of saltmarshes and indirectly modified the
richness, composition and size of their avian populations and the abundance of nests. Saltmarshes with either LL or NN
production levels were inhabited by tall grassland specialists and generalists and by species specialised to live in a mosaic of
short and tall grassland patches. Conversely, saltmarshes with HH production levels were inhabited by short-grassland
specialists. That avian species diversity does not differ between S. densiflora saltmarsh subject to low or no human impacts
has several potential interpretations, which are discussed. These findings have implications for management of grasslands to
maintain avian diversity.