Effects of Weather and Water Level On Reproduction Of Colonial Waterbirds In Laguna Mar Chiquita ? Bañados Del Río Dulce

R TORRES; P MICHELUTTI; J DOMININO; J LEÓN; A MANGEAUD; A RODRIGUEZ

ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL

NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Lugar: Montreal ; Año: 2010 vol. 21 p. 383 - 396

1075-4377

The relationship between climate-related factors in an important extensive wetland of centralArgentina (Laguna Mar Chiquita - Bañados del Río Dulce) and colonial waterbirds reproduction was explored. Due to their different ecological requirements, the diverse species responded differently to variations in climatic factors, which in turn interact at different spatial scales. Nesting success of almost all species was negatively affected by storm winds occurring in the region in summer. Water level changes, induced by non-local phenomena occurring in the high basin, at a great distance from the Mar Chiquita?Dulce River system, had a direct effect on species number in colonies. On the contrary, pair numbers was not directly affected by water level changes, although the pair numbers in the Striated Heron (Butorides striata) colonies was related to the area of the feeding and nesting habitat suitable for this species, which was eventually regulated by water level. Waterbirds colony formation depended on water levels that were stable or changed in up to 1 m in consecutive years. The data obtained has implications for biodiversity conservation and water management strategies.