Living in a fragmented world: Birds in the Atlantic Forest

The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A Pizo ◽  
Vinicius R Tonetti

Abstract The Atlantic Forest is the second largest tropical moist forest domain in South America after the Amazon, home to over 800 bird species (223 endemics or 27% of the avifauna). With only 28% of the original vegetation left, mostly fragmented and altered, the Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for bird conservation. We first introduce the extent, vegetation types, and exploitation history of the domain, and the composition and biogeographic affinities of its birds. We then provide an overview of the knowledge gathered so far on the ways Atlantic Forest birds thrive in the often-fragmented landscape, highlighting the landscape features that influence their occurrence and movement behavior. We end with the conservation issues affecting the Atlantic Forest birds and the actions hitherto taken to address them, including the establishment of conservation units, forest restoration, and rewilding.

1992 ◽  
Vol 335 (1275) ◽  
pp. 443-457 ◽  

In lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia, most primary forest bird species were present in areas selectively logged eight years previously. However, certain taxa, notably flycatchers, woodpeckers, trogons and wren-babblers, became comparatively rare. In contrast, nectarivorous and opportunistic frugivorous species were significantly more abundant. Few species appeared to change foraging height, but netting rates suggest that the activity of some species had increased, or that some birds ranged over larger areas after logging. Although there is still much to be learned about the survival of birds in logged forest, large areas of this habitat are important for bird conservation. However, the susceptibility of logged forest to fire, and our present incomplete understanding of bird behaviour and population dynamics in logged forests mean that they should not be considered by conservationists as alternatives to reserves of primary forest.


2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano N. Naka ◽  
Marcos Rodrigues ◽  
Andrei L. Roos ◽  
Marcos A. G. Azevedo

The island of Santa Catarina lies in the Atlantic Forest Domain of southern Brazil, one of the most threatened ecosys tems on the planet. It holds a wide variety of habitats, ranging from sand dune ‘restingas’ to mature rain forest. We report, for the first time, a survey of the bird species and their conservation status for the different habitats present on the island. We recorded 269 bird species of 54 families (25 species were seabirds). More than 50% (140) of the total number of species were residents or probable residents, 20% (58) were visitors and a relatively high number of species (61, 23%) had indeterminate residential status. Nearly 15% (35 species) of the 244 landbird species observed were endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Habitat specificity was recorded for 40% (97 species). We recorded one Endangered (Solitary Tinamou Tinamus solitarius), one Vulnerable (White-necked Hawk Leucopternis lacernulata), and three Near-threatened species (Azure Jay Cyanocorax caeruleus, Azure-shouldered Tanager Thraupis cyanoptera, Black-backed Tanager Tangara peruviana). We also recorded six locally threatened species that we predict will become extinct in the near future. The future for the birds of the island is uncertain, especially for habitat specialists, due to habitat loss for resort developments, and a lack of concern by the government and local people.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-29
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Zimmermann ◽  
Joaquim Olinto Branco ◽  
Rosemeri Carvalho Marenzi ◽  
Matheus Allan Kurtz Willrich

Due to the few studies in ornithology in the gleba menor of the Sassafras and Canela Preta Biological, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of these Units for the preservation of forest birds. In the field, a monthly quantitative inventory was carried out, covering all seasons and periods of the day. The specimens were identified by sonic and visual evidences using a 7 X 35 mm binocular. The displacement in each area was one hour, carried out by walking at a constant speed (± 3.0 km / h) on pre-existing tracks, covering the largest area and possible environments. For each unit with the area and perimeter values, the form factor was calculated. With a sample effort of 65 and 71 hours of observation for the Canela Preta Biological Reserve and for the gleba menor, it was possible to record 182 and 190 species respectively. The richness in the areas can be considered high when compared to the richness in the greater area in the Sassafras Rebio (3,840 ha), where 237 species were registered. Among the species are those considered endemic, which for the two areas add up to 84 species, such as Lipaugus lanioides (Lesson, 1844). It was possible to record the presence of species characteristic of altitudes such as: Pyrrhocoma ruficeps (Strickland, 1844). Among species of conservation interest we have Amazona vinacea (Kuhl, 1820) considered threatened (EN). The most representative species was the Critically Endangered (CR) Primolius maracana (Vieillot, 1816). For the shape factor we obtained values of 0.21 (Sassafras) and 0.18 (Canela-Preta). Values less than 1 indicate a more circular area and, consequently, less edge effect. From the above, it is evident the importance of these protected areas  for the conservation of bird species against the fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest in Santa Catarina.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro F. Develey ◽  
Benjamin T. Phalan

Bird species extinctions in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil have been predicted since the early 1990s, but it has become accepted wisdom that none have yet been documented. We revisit this question in light of updates to the global Red List, and conclude that between five and seven bird species have likely been driven to extinction in the wild in this biome in recent decades, plus a further two species that occurred elsewhere in Brazil. These extinctions were the result of habitat loss in combination with other threats. A further nine Atlantic Forest bird species are Critically Endangered, plus six from elsewhere in Brazil. We review growing efforts to help these species avoid extinction using a range of tools including multi-stakeholder planning, advocacy, habitat protection and restoration on public and private land, focussed research, and intensive population management, drawing on examples from the most threatened Atlantic Forest endemics. Conservation organisations, local communities, government agencies, zoos, international funders, universities and others are working together to prevent these species from disappearing. While the political environment in Brazil has rarely been more hostile to conservation, there are also some positive trends. Rates of deforestation in the Atlantic Forest have fallen, forest restoration and recovery is increasing, and an unprecedented number of ordinary people are taking an interest in birds and participating in citizen science. With dedication, collaboration, sufficient resources, and a focus on evidence-informed solutions, we are hopeful that many of the Critically Endangered species can be pulled back from the brink of extinction.


1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaqueline M. Goerck

SummaryIn this study I compare bird communities along an elevational gradient in an Atlantic forest remnant (Pico do Corcovado in Ubatuba) in coastal Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Forests at low elevations are structurally more complex and more diverse in plant species than those along the slopes and at higher elevations in this remnant. Consequently it is hypothesized that low elevation forests contain a greater diversity of bird species. Results from the study in the Corcovado area show clear differences in the distribution of forest birds along the elevational gradient from both qualitative and quantitative aspects. The structurally more complex forest at low elevations contains the most diverse avifauna, including several of the rarest and most threatened species. The importance of this remnant as a whole is apparent due to the high diversity observed (254 species), the high proportion of endemic species, and the extent to which the avifauna is endangered. Protection of forests at all elevations along the Serra do Mar is required to maintain diversity of bird species, particularly the many endemic and endangered species restricted to specific elevations.


2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian D Thompson ◽  
James A Baker ◽  
Susan J Hannon ◽  
Robert S Rempel ◽  
Kandyd J Szuba

This paper presents a summary of presentations and discussions at a 3-day workshop on research and management of forest birds in Ontario forests. While many forest birds in Ontario do not appear to be negatively affected over the long term by forest management, some species were noted as declining using Breeding Bird Atlas data and more research is required to understand the causes, some of which may well be related to habitat change on the wintering grounds. For example, the aerial foragers as a group have declined significantly during the past 20 years. Recent research suggests landscape convergence between managed and fire-origin stands for bird species over time, but negative effects were suggested for boreal chickadee (Poecile hudsonsicus), brown creeper (Certhia familiaris), and some cavity-users, although there is no evidence of declines in these species from the current atlas data. This inconsistency needs to be evaluated. In Carolinian forests, even small-scale tree harvesting in this already highly fragmented landscape can have deleterious effects on breeding success for some species, such as wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) and rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus). New modelling techniques and meta-analyses seem to hold considerable promise as tools to help managers understand key habitats, species that require special attention, and as predictive models of forest management effects. A large number of recommendations to improve the management of forest birds are provided and as is a suggested research agenda to improve our understanding of key factors affecting birds in managed forests. Key words: forest birds, forest management, boreal forest, Great Lakes–St. Lawrence forest, Carolinian forest, indicators, modelling, cavity nester, spruce budworm, forest policy, Ontario


2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIZ DOS ANJOS ◽  
ROBERT D. HOLT ◽  
SCOTT ROBINSON

SummaryWe tested the hypothesis that endemic bird species of the Brazilian Atlantic forest are more sensitive to forest fragmentation than non-endemics in a fragmented landscape in northern Paraná state of southern Brazil. Levels of sensitivity (high, medium, and low) were previously determined in the landscape based on the occurrences of bird species in 14 forest fragments. We evaluated 112 forest bird species and found that endemic species were more sensitive than non-endemics. Among the endemic species, highly sensitive species tended to have smaller geographic ranges. In a second analysis, we determined that birds at the edges of their geographic ranges in northern Paraná were more vulnerable to forest fragmentation. Combining both factors we found that endemic birds at the edge of their ranges were the most sensitive to fragmentation. Our results suggest that endemics and species at the edges of larger ranges might need larger tracts to ensure their continued existence within that region. Our results, however, also indicate that even small forest fragments may have considerable value for non-endemics and for species closer to the centres of their ranges.


Biologia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Grzędzicka ◽  
Katarzyna Kowalik ◽  
Barbara Bacler-Żbikowska

AbstractInvasive plants are non-native, but in most cases naturalised, species that have successfully spread outside of their native range. Aliens invaded all habitats, are competing with native plants, thus, after the direct destruction of habitats, invasions are recognised as the second largest danger for biodiversity. Northern Red Oak is one of the most common invasive tree species dispersed primarily by birds, but new studies have shown that it is also spread continuously in a forest stand. The main aim of our research was to check how strong is the invasion of Northern Red Oak in Silesia Park, where it was introduced together with other alien plant species, and how this invasion interacts with bird diversity. Silesia Park was created 65 years ago on the surface largely ravaged by coal industry. Because many studies indicate birds as vectors of alien plants invasion, we examined the bird fauna in a described area, looking for species that can contribute to spreading oaks. Research showed the diversity of 50 bird species. Surface with a presence of Northern Red Oak was characterised by greater participation of alien plant species than the patch of natural forest, which existed there long before the park creation. The greatest bird diversity was found in the most natural part of Silesia Park, and the lowest in the area of invasion, especially in the case of species classified as “forest birds”. The presence of alien plants increased number of “non-forest” birds, mostly synanthropic species. We also found that Northern Red Oak spreads by spontaneous seed dispersal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 108905
Author(s):  
Manoela Sacchis Lopes ◽  
Bijeesh Kozhikkodan Veettil ◽  
Dejanira Lüderitz Saldanha

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