IDEA   23902
INSTITUTO DE DIVERSIDAD Y ECOLOGIA ANIMAL
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Influence of long-term climatic changes on breeding of the Chilean flamingo in Mar Chiquita, Córdoba, Argentina
Autor/es:
BUCHER, ENRIQUE H.; CURTO, ERIO
Revista:
HYDROBIOLOGIA
Editorial:
SPRINGER
Referencias:
Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2012 vol. 697 p. 127 - 137
ISSN:
0018-8158
Resumen:
We report a comparative analysis of the
environmental conditions prevailing at each successful breeding event of the
Chilean flamingo (Phoenicoptarus chilensis) during the 19692010 period in Mar
Chiquita, a large salt lake near Córdoba, Argentina. Breeding was monitored
annually by air. The following parameters were measured: rainfall, water level
water salinity, availability of shoreline and offshore (islands) mudflats,
presence of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana), and presence of the Argentine
silverside fish (Odonthotestes bonariensis). During the study period, Mar
Chiquita underwent great variations in level, reaching the highest level in its
geological history. Salinity ranged from 274 down to 22 g l−1. Artemia was
present during the high-salinity periods and was absent when salinity dropped
below 55 g l−1, and the lake was invaded by the silverside. Flamingos bred
irregularly during both high- and low-salinity periods (11 successful attempts
in 42 years). Comparison of breeding and non-breeding years showed that the
only environmental factor always associated with breeding events was
availability of mudflats, mostly bordering islands. Water level increases over
0.90 m during the breeding season may flood the nesting areas and affect
breeding success. Rapid decreases in lake level may also affect breeding by
favoring predation or via nutrient availability. Other factors (water level,
water salinity, local rainfall, and presence of Artemia and silverside) were
within similar ranges in breeding and non-breeding years. Our surveys provided
indirect evidence suggesting that food availability may influence flamingo
breeding in Mar Chiquita. Management implications of our study include: (a)
habitat suitability analysis of wetlands like Mar Chiquita should consider that
availability of offshore mudflats free of vertebrate predators is an essential
requirement for flamingo conservation and (b) drastic and rapid increases or
decreases in water level due to human control of river inflows may affect
chances of successful flamingo breeding and therefore should be evaluated
carefully.