INVESTIGADORES
BERKUNSKY Igor
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Analysis of the effect of fecundity and survival parameters on an adequate management of the endangered Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) populations
Autor/es:
MAESTRI, MARÍA LAURA; BERKUNSKY, IGOR; FERRATI, ROSANA
Lugar:
Santa María
Reunión:
Congreso; MPDE 12, Models in population dynamics and Ecology; 2012
Institución organizadora:
Federal University of Santa Maria
Resumen:
The Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) is a rare, critically endangered and endemic macaw of savannahs in northern Bolivia. During the last decade intensive conservation work was carried out in order to identify and address the critical parameters delaying the population?s recovery. Field conservation actions were aimed at increasing nest site availability, protecting active nests against predators and increasing nestling survival. The application of these actions resulted in higher nest success and higher nestling survival. Despite this reproductive improvement, the breeding population is not yet recovering. The number of macaws at each breeding site has been stable or decreased and at a few sites, local extinction has taken place. We propose a stage-structured matrix population model for simulating its dynamics. Fecundity and survival parameters were determined from field data and permanence in a class parameters were computed assuming a stable stage distribution. Sensitivity and elasticity of each parameter were analyzed. The simulation of different management scenarios involved the quantiles of fecundity and survivorship parameters for the first class. Simulation results show a larger incidence of the fecundity parameter, in agreement with field observations indicating that the reproductive population has not yet recovered in spite of the current conservation efforts. As the Blue-throated Macaw is currently a conservation dependent species, we consider the value of increasing the wild population through the release of confiscated and captive-bred individuals. The model validates the possibility of increasing the wild populations in such a way, as well as by incubating eggs fallen from nests.