scholarly journals Altitudinal distribution, habitat use, and abundance of Grallaria antpittas in the Central Andes of Colombia

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo H. Kattan ◽  
J. William Beltran

SummaryGrallaria antpittas are a group of little known birds from the understorey of humid forests of the tropical Andes, with several species having very narrow distributions. At Ucumari Regional Park, which protects the Otún River watershed in the Central Andes of Colombia, five species occur sympatrically at 2,400 m, including the recently rediscovered G. milleri, of which this is the only known population. We studied the patterns of altitudinal distribution, habitat use and abundance of the five species in the park. We found altitudinal segregation at a local scale, with two species, G. ruficapilla and G. squamigera, found at lower elevations (1,800–2,500 m) and two other species, G. nuchalis and G. rufocinerea, at higher elevations (2,400–3,000); G. milleri was recorded only in the 2,400–2,600 m range. The five species overlap in the range 2,400–2,600 m, where they occur in three habitats: early regeneration, overgrown alder plantations and 30-year-old forest. There were no differences in density among habitats for any species; the five species used the three habitats in proportion to their occurrence in the landscape. Grallaria milleri had the highest overall density (1.3 ind/ha) while G. squamigera had the lowest density (0.2 ind/ha), and the other three species were intermediate. We estimated 106 individuals of G. milleri in an area of 63 ha, and only seven individuals of G. squamigera. The Otún River watershed concentrates an unusual number of Grallaria antpittas, including three endemic species, and the information presented here is fundamental to any future habitat management plans to ensure the persistence of these populations.

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantel Elston ◽  
Paul D. Cowley ◽  
Rainer G. von Brandis ◽  
James Lea

Abiotic factors often have a large influence on the habitat use of animals in shallow marine environments. Specifically, tides may alter the physical and biological characteristics of an ecosystem while changes in temperature can cause ectothermic species to behaviorally thermoregulate. Understanding the contextual and relative influences of these abiotic factors is important in prioritizing management plans, particularly for vulnerable faunal groups like stingrays. Passive acoustic telemetry was used to track the movements of 60 stingrays at a remote and environmentally heterogeneous atoll in Seychelles. This was to determine if habitat use varied over daily, diel and tidal cycles and to investigate the environmental drivers behind these potential temporal patterns. Individuals were detected in the atoll year-round, but the extent of their movement and use of multiple habitats increased in the warmer NW-monsoon season. Habitat use varied over the diel cycle, but was inconsistent between individuals. Temperature was also found to influence stingray movements, with individuals preferring the deeper and more thermally stable lagoon habitat when extreme (hot or cold) temperature events were observed on the flats. Habitat use also varied over the tidal cycle with stingrays spending a higher proportion of time in the lagoon during the lowest tides, when movement on the flats were constrained due to shallow waters. The interplay of tides and temperature, and how these varied across diel and daily scales, dynamically influenced stingray habitat use consistently between three species in an offshore atoll.


<strong><em>Abstract. </em></strong>This paper summarizes the results of the National Research Council Study on the Effects of Bottom Trawling and Dredging on Seafloor Habitat (National Research Council 2002). The report concludes that integration of existing data on the effects of trawls and dredges, level of fishing effort, and distribution of seafloor habitats would facilitate development of habitat management plans. Current and new management measures should be assessed regularly to provide a better understanding of how various restrictions affect fish habitat and to determine the socioeconomic impacts on the fishing industry and local communities. Resolution of the different, and at times conflicting, ecological and socioeconomic goals will require not only a better understanding of the relevant ecosystems and fisheries but also more effective interaction among stakeholders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (26) ◽  
pp. 12889-12894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Moret ◽  
Priscilla Muriel ◽  
Ricardo Jaramillo ◽  
Olivier Dangles

Alexander von Humboldt’sTableau Physique(1807) has been one of the most influential diagrams in the history of environmental sciences. In particular, detailed observations of the altitudinal distribution of plant species in the equatorial Andes, depicted on a cross-section of Mt. Chimborazo, allowed Humboldt to establish the concept of vegetation belt, thereby laying the foundations of biogeography. Surprisingly, Humboldt’s original data have never been critically revisited, probably due to the difficulty of gathering and interpreting dispersed archives. By unearthing and analyzing overlooked historical documents, we show that the top section of theTableau Physique, above the tree line, is an intuitive construct based on unverified and therefore partly false field data that Humboldt constantly tried to revise in subsequent publications. This finding has implications for the documentation of climate change effects in the tropical Andes. We found that Humboldt’s primary plant data above tree line were mostly collected on Mt. Antisana, not Chimborazo, which allows a comparison with current records. Our resurvey at Mt. Antisana revealed a 215- to 266-m altitudinal shift over 215 y. This estimate is about twice lower than previous estimates for the region but is consistent with the 10- to 12-m/decade upslope range shift observed worldwide. Our results show the cautious approach needed to interpret historical data and to use them as a resource for documenting environmental changes. They also profoundly renew our understanding of Humboldt’s scientific thinking, methods, and modern relevance.


2004 ◽  
Vol 359 (1442) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Hooghiemstra ◽  
Thomas Van der Hammen

Pollen records from lacustrine sediments of deep basins in the Colombian Andes provide records of vegetation history, the development of the floristic composition of biomes, and climate variation with increasing temporal resolution. Local differences in the altitudinal distribution of present–day vegetation belts in four Colombian Cordilleras are presented. Operating mechanisms during Quaternary Ice–Age cycles that stimulated speciation are discussed by considering endemism in the asteraceous genera Espeletia , Espeletiopsis and Coespeletia . The floristically diverse lower montane forest belt (1000–2300 m) was compressed by ca . 55% during the last glacial maximum (LGM) (20 ka), and occupied the slopes between 800 m and 1400 m during that period. Under low LGM atmospheric p CO 2 values, C 4 –dominated vegetation, now occurring below 2200 m, expanded up to ca. 3500 m. Present–day C 3 –dominated paramo vegetation is therefore not an analogue for past C 4 –dominated vegetation (with abundant Sporobolus lasiophyllus ). Quercus immigrated into Colombia 478 ka and formed an extensive zonal forest from 330 ka when former Podocarpus –dominated forest was replaced by zonal forest with Quercus and Weinmannia . During the last glacial cycle the ecological tolerance of Quercus may have increased. In the ecotone forests Quercus was rapidly and massively replaced by Polylepis between 45 and 30 ka illustrating complex forest dynamics in the tropical Andes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 1174-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud Mosnier ◽  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽  
Luc Sirois ◽  
Nelson Fournier

We used several spatial and temporal scales to determine space and habitat use of the caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of the Gaspé Peninsula. Thirty-five radio-collared caribou were followed from November 1998 to April 2001. Habitat use was studied by superimposing radiolocations on ecoforestry maps using five predefined habitat types (deciduous, immature, mature spruce, mature fir, and barren). At a finer scale, we tracked caribou in forested areas during winter 2000 and 2001 in order to describe physical and biological characteristics of foraging tracks and used stands. Our results indicated that the distribution of caribou extended beyond the limits of Gaspé Conservation Park. Patterns of space use showed the existence of three groups, which formed a metapopulation. These groups consisted of spatially distinct units that used space and habitat differently. At the home-range level, caribou preferred barren areas found in alpine and subalpine zones at all times of the year. The most frequently used forested habitat type was the mature fir. At the finer scale of foraging tracks, caribou selected fir stands characterized by dense snow conditions and large diameter trees bearing greater quantities of lichen. Our results demonstrated the importance of protecting areas outside the park that are likely to become used or reused by caribou, and of managing these areas to increase settlement by caribou. Lastly, management plans must be adapted to each of the three groups forming this metapopulation.


1989 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Mollohan ◽  
Ward W. Brady ◽  
Albert L. LeCount

Abstract Fourteen adult female black bears were captured and radio-collared on the Mogollon Rim in north-central Arizona. Habitat use was sampled on 182 sites from May 1982-August 1984 using ground radio telemetry to identify habitat use sites. Eighty-eight sites were classified as feeding sites, and 94 sites contained beds. Analysis of use versus availability of vegetation types, topographic site characteristics, and percent slope classes showed significant differences. Females, with and without cubs, selected mixed conifer more frequently than ponderosa pine areas. Canyon walls were selected more frequently than ridgetops, especially for bedding sites. There were significant differences in amount of vegetative cover between feeding and bedding sites. Horizontal cover averaged 45 ft for bedding sites and 65 ft for feeding sites. Seventy four percent of the beds were on the uphill side of trees. Bed trees averaged 28.6 in. dbh. Habitat management recommendations are included. West. J. Appl. For. 4(1): 6-10, January 1989.


1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1922-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Ouellet ◽  
Jean Ferron ◽  
Luc Sirois

The space and habitat use patterns of the threatened Gaspé caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were documented using telemetry. Between 1987 and 1992, 701 radiolocations were recorded, primarily for adult females (n = 28). Five habitats available to caribou (hardwood, immature, mature fir, mature spruce, alpine) are described and biomass of arboreal lichen, an important winter food source, is estimated. Regardless of sex and age, almost all locations (91%) were recorded within the limits of Gaspé Provincial Park. Home-range size of adult females averaged 148 km2 (convex polygon); 95% of adult female locations were within 107 km2 and 50% within 15 km2 (harmonic mean). Home-range sizes were small and did not vary seasonally or annually. Throughout the year caribou were located more frequently than expected at high elevations (> 915 m) and less frequently than expected at low elevations (0–685 m). Consequently, alpine habitat was used more frequently than expected. Caribou concentrated their activity in two distinct areas: the alpine plateaus of Mont Albert and Mont Jacques-Cartier. No caribou used both areas (with the exception of a lone female). These two caribou groups should be viewed as two subpopulations. The biomass of arboreal lichens was greatest in mature fir and spruce stands, with 50–60 kg/ha available at a height of 4 m. The altitudinal distribution of this resource may partly explain the strong selection of high-elevation sites made by caribou in winter. Our results also support the hypothesis that cow–calf groups remain at high elevations to reduce the risk of predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) and black bears (Ursus americanus). The proximity of mature forests and alpine habitat, at high elevations, in two areas of the park may explain the small extent of adult female home ranges and the segregation of Gaspé caribou into two groups.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizeth A Cardenas ◽  
Janelle M Burke ◽  
Fabian A Michelangeli

We describe five new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) from Yanachaga Chemillén National Park and vicinity in Pasco, Peru: Miconia cardenasiae, Miconia chemillensis, Miconia humifusa, Miconia odoratissima, and Miconia pozuzoana. These species occur across a range of ecological habitats in the central Andes of Peru. Two of these species exhibit modifications for plant-arthropod interactions as leaf domatia and one of them has hollow stems. The number of previously undescribed species presented here from a relatively small area underscores the continued need for alpha taxonomy in the tropical Andes. Based on restricted distribution and habitat degradation pressure, we recommend that all species be categorized as either Endangered or Critically Endangered under IUCN guidelines.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Jacqmain ◽  
Louis Bélanger ◽  
Réhaume Courtois ◽  
Christian Dussault ◽  
Thomas M. Beckley ◽  
...  

Sustainable management of natural ecosystems requires adequate participation of Aboriginal people. This especially includes the joint use of local ecological and scientific knowledge to document natural processes and develop management guidelines. Despite increasing recognition of this principle, endorsed by the international community and several Aboriginal nations, there are very few genuine cases that show significant progress in this discipline. This case is similar in North American forestry where several initiatives have documented Aboriginal land use without ever significantly recognizing local knowledge in the development of forest management guidelines. In the search for innovative solutions on this topic, the Waswanipi Cree Model Forest developed a governance tool that allows Cree land users to translate their needs into management plans. We collaborated on this initiative by developing and testing a participatory approach, allowing the development of moose ( Alces alces L.) habitat management guidelines, better adapted to the socioecological context of the Cree. This innovative approach increases mutual understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal managers and favours the social acceptability of the guidelines while contributing to a more sustainable management of this northern and fragile ecosystem. This study will influence stakeholders striving to improve collaborative ecosystem management with Aboriginal people.


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAN CHAMBERLAIN ◽  
CLAUDIA TOCCO ◽  
ALICE LONGONI ◽  
STEFANO MAMMOLA ◽  
CLAUDIA PALESTRINI ◽  
...  

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