Different grazing strategies are necessary to conserve endangered grassland birds in short and tall salty grasslands from the flooding Pampas

ISACCH, J. P.; CARDONI D,

THE CONDOR

COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Año: 2011 vol. 113 p. 724 - 734

0010-5422

We evaluated how grazing affects bird assemblages in short and tall coastal salty grasslands at Samborombón Bay, Argentina. We studied ranches with three patterns of grazing (spatial rotation, continuous, and winter grazing) and a control site, at each censusing birds and surveying vegetation monthly. Results allowed us to compare the various treatments and their effects on endangered birds of short and tall grassland. Three species of special conservation concern showed significant responses to grazing. In short grasslands, the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) is supported by continuous grazing. In tall grasslands, the Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail (Spartonoica maluroides) uses only grasslands with extensive cover of tall grass, whereas Hudson’s Canastero (Asthenes hudsoni) uses those with high levels of cattle grazing. The diverse responses of grassland birds to grazing of different types of grassland leads us to propose a system of heterogeneous grazing that optimizes both production and conservation of grassland birds.