Caracterización ambiental y estacional de aves acuáticas de la meseta del Lago Strobel, Patagonia Argentina

POHORYLOW, MIRNA; GATTO, ALEJANDRO; LANCELOTTI, JULIO L.

ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL

NEOTROPICAL ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

Lugar: ALEMANIA; Año: 2016

1075-4377

Wetlands are key ecosystems due to their role as biodiversity reservoirs, and are particularly important in arid environments. We studied the waterbird assemblage structure of The Strobel Plateau, an important bird conservation area in southern Patagonia. Considerating spatial and seasonal variation on species composition, abundance, richness, and diversity were analyzed by means of 243 counts in 102 shallow lakes during spring, summer, and autumn. Habitat utilization was evaluated in base of a previous classification whichw defined 4 different types of lakes: Large non-vegetated (GNV), large vegetated (GV), small vegetated (PV), and turbid (T). We recorded 18 waterbird species comprising five families and 12 genera. Maximum waterbird abundance was observed in spring in the GV lakes, while highest diversity appeared in summer at the TB lakes. Ducks and swans (family Anatidae) dominated the assemblages in all kind of lakes and during all evaluated seasons, both in abundance and frequency of occurrence. The threatened species recorded (Hooded Grebe, Podiceps gallardoi; Chilean Flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis) and an only Neartic migrant (Wilsons?s Phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor) were an important part of the assemblage. This study shows the importance of habitat characteristics in determining the structure of waterbird assemblages and their temporal dynamics in Lake Strobel Plateau. The plateau lakes are a dynamic mosaic with important seasonal variation in their numbers and limnological characteristics. In this context, aquatic birds could be depending more on the lake network than on individual lakes. Thus, conservation management actions need to take into account lake system as a whole and its spatio-temporal patterns of variation.