Artificial irrigation ponds and sea coast as forag... - BV FAPESP
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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Artificial irrigation ponds and sea coast as foraging habitat for larids breeding in protected wetlands

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Author(s):
Sebastian-Gonzalez, Esther [1, 2] ; Botella, Francisco [1] ; Ovaskainen, Otso [3] ; Delgado, Antonio [4] ; Sanchez-Zapata, Jose Antonio [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Miguel Hernandez Univ, Dept Appl Biol, E-03202 Elche - Spain
[2] Univ Sao Paulo IB USP, Dept Ecol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Helsinki, Dept Biosci, FI-00014 Helsinki - Finland
[4] CSIC UGR, Inst Andaluz Ciencias Tierra, E-18100 Granada - Spain
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH; v. 66, n. 9, p. 831-840, 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Questions related to the preservation of foraging sites of breeding birds have received little attention, although they can be of major importance for population persistence. Here, we used stable isotopes and field observations to evaluate the relative importance of man-made irrigation ponds as foraging areas for a larid community of conservation concern. We also studied the habitat preferences of the bird species and determined whether pairs of species co-occurred or avoided each other while foraging. Six species used marine habitats preferentially, whereas three species preferred freshwater habitats, the latter being provided mainly by irrigation ponds. Larids foraged preferentially in large and vegetated ponds located close to the breeding areas, and avoided sandy areas at the coast. We propose that the European Union subsidies related to the creation and alteration of irrigation ponds should be linked to management strategies that maximise pond quality for waterbirds. A third of the species pairs examined showed strong support for the species co-occurring more often than expected by random. Our study showed that larids breeding in mixed colonies segregate spatially in their foraging niche between marine and freshwater environments. Both breeding and foraging habitats need to be addressed when analysing larid population dynamics and conservation strategies. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/17968-2 - Structure and geographical variability in mutualistic networks of plants and their frugivorous birds
Grantee:Esther Sebastián González
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral