Abstract

NAOKI, Kazuya; LANDIVAR, Carlos Miguel  and  GOMEZ, M. Isabel. Bird monitoring to detect changes in the ecosystem quality of high Andean wetlands. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2014, vol.49, n.3, pp.73-83. ISSN 1605-2528.

High Andean bogs are considered as one of the most vulnerable ecosystems under the effects of climate change, which affect the hydrological dynamics supplied from severely reduced glaciers. This study proposes a design for a monitoring program of bird communities as bioindicators of ecosystem health of Andean bogs. The study was conducted in 40 bogs found in five valleys on the western slope of the Cordillera Real (Bolivia) between 2013 and 2014. The avifauna was quantified by point count methods with unlimited observation distance at three observation points equidistantly established in each bog. The observation was carried out with 10X40 binoculars and a 25X60 telescope. We analyzed several potentially important aspects to establish an appropriate monitoring program: the number of bogs, the number of visits, the number of observation points, the season and the time of observation. According to the analysis, we recommend that the program contains at least 15 bogs, ideally 25-30. Each bog should be visited at least twice, ideally 3-4 times. Three equidistant observation points can cover almost the entire surface of bogs up to 25 ha, and 30 minutes of observation in each bog per visit appears to be sufficient to record the most bird species. The best season for monitoring is between September and November, when bird activity is high, and the weather condition is apt to carry out more hours of observation. Bird observation can be conducted from 7:00 until 17:00 unless the weather conditions are unfavorable.

Keywords : Andean bogs; Birds; Ecosystem health; Monitoring.

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