Spatial distribution and movement ecology to assess protected area effectiveness for the Lear's macaw and four vulture species in northern Bahia

• Grant number: 24/02721-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Agreement: Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Voeroes Dénes
• Grantee: Anna Gabriella Agazzi Migotto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/19389-9 - Applying new bio-logging and analytical tools to study the movement ecology and conservation of birds in the caatinga biome, Brazil, AP.JP
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/04781-4 - Definition of Important Conservation Areas for the endemic and endangered Lear's Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) in northern Bahia, Brazil, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

With the aid of GPS and satellite tracking technologies, this project aims to analyze spatio-temporal movement data of the endangered Lear's macaw and other four species of New World vultures in the north of the Bahia state, Brazil, within the Caatinga dry forest biome. We will derive occurrence distributions and home ranges that will be used to describe species geographic distribution and subsequently be superimposed with the extent of a mosaic of protected areas in the study region, aiming to address the efficiency of those areas for the conservation of the species and propose adjustments on ongoing conservation planning management strategies to incorporate the dynamicity of species space use and ecological needs.