No abstract

Data generated by citizen science is particularly valuable in ecological research. If used discerningly with data from traditional scientific references, citizen science can directly contribute to biogeography knowledge and conservation policies by increasing the number of species records in large geographic areas. Considering the current level of knowledge on south Brazilian avifauna, the large volume of data produced by uncoordinated citizen science effort (CS), and the growing need for information on changes in abundance and species composition, we have compiled an updated, general list of bird species occurrence within the state of Paraná. We have listed extinct, invasive and recently-colonizing species as well as indicator species of the state’s vegetation types. We further assess the degree of knowledge of different regions within the state based on data from traditional scientific references, and the effect of including CS data in the same analysis. We have compiled data on 766 bird species, based on 70,346 individual records from traditional scientific references, and 79,468 from CS. Extinct and invasive species were identified by comparing their occurrence and abundance over a series of three time periods. Indicator species analysis pointed to the existence of three areas with bird communities typically found within the state: the Semideciduous Tropical Forest, the Tropical Rainforest and the junction of Grassland and Araucaria Moist Forest. We used rarefaction to measure sampling sufficiency, and found that rarefaction curves reached stabilization for all vegetation types except in Savanna. We observed differences in the level of knowledge of bird biodiversity among the microregions of the state, but including CS data, these differences were mitigated. The same effect was observed in other exploratory analyzes conducted here, emphasizing the fundamental importance of including CS data in macroecological studies. Production of easily accessible data and its unrestricted availability makes CS a very important tool, especially in highly diverse regions as the Neotropics, as it can offer a more accurate picture of bird composition in comparison to the exclusive use of traditional scientific references.

The hyacinth macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus is the world's largest parrot species and is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. This species commonly flocks in collective roost sites. We monitored a group of hyacinth macaws that has used a single roost site on a ranch with traditional, extensive cattle management in the Pantanal, Brazil, for over 50 yr. We analyzed 15 yr of monitoring data on the use of this roost site. We used simultaneous counts (n = 37), where individuals flying to the roost site were counted, and also counted pairs in nests. The results indicate that in 2001 there were 234 (mean no. of ind.; 95% CI = 55) macaws in the roost; 15 yr later 708 (95% CI = 142) were registered. The highest number of macaws registered was in the years of 2013 and 2015, when >1000 ind. were observed at the ranch. The model showed an increase rate of 26 ind. yr −1 over the 15 yr monitoring period. Temporal and seasonal fluctuations were observed, with the highest number of macaws recorded during rainy and non-breeding seasons. We discuss these results with an emphasis on the type of ranch management that favors the maintenance of hyacinth macaw food resources. The type of traditional cattle management used at the study site benefits both cattle production and macaw conservation due to positive interactions between cattle feeding habits and landscape-level management practices that preserve macaw habitat.

ABSTRACT. The dynamics of the bird community in a small forest fragment was evaluated along seven years in relation to changes in the surrounding landscape. The study area is an Araucaria forest fragment in Southern Brazil (state of Paraná). The sampling period covered the years 1988 through 1994 and the mark-release-recapture method was utilized. The landscape analysis was based on Landsat TM images, and changes in exotic tree plantations, native forest, open areas (agriculture, pasture, bare soil, and abandoned field), and "capoeira"(native vegetation ≤ 2 m) were quantified. The relationship between landscape changes and changes in abundance diversity of forest birds, open-area birds, forest-edge birds, and bamboo specialists was evaluated. Richness estimates were run for each year studied. The richness recorded in the study area comprised 96 species. The richness estimates were 114, 118 and 110 species for Chao 1, Jackknife 1 and Bootstrap, respectively. The bird community varied in species richness, abundance and diversity from year to year. As for species diversity, 1991, 1993 and 1994 were significantly different from the other years. Changes in the landscape contributed to the increase in abundance and richness for the groups of forest, open-area and bamboo-specialist species. An important factor discussed was the effect of the flowering of "taquara" (Poaceae), which contributed significantly to increasing richness of bamboo seed eaters, mainly in 1992 and 1993. In general, the results showed that landscape changes affected the dynamics and structure of the bird community of this forest fragment over time, and proved to have an important role in conservation of the avian community in areas of intensive forestry and agricultural activities. KEYWORDS.Richness, abundance, diversity, long-term assessment, state of Paraná.RESUMO. Comunidade de aves em um fragmento de floresta de araucária em relação a mudanças na paisagem circundante no sul do Brasil. Este estudo avaliou a dinâmica da comunidade de aves em um fragmento florestal ao longo de sete anos e correlacionou às mudanças ocorridas na paisagem circundante. A área de estudo localiza-se na Região Sul do Brasil (Estado do Paraná) e a vegetação está representada por Floresta Ombrófila Mista. O período de amostragem ocorreu entre os anos de 1988 a 1994 e o método utilizado foi captura-marcação e recaptura. Para análise da mudança no uso e cobertura da paisagem foram utilizadas imagens Landsat TM e um sistema de informação geográfico. Quatro classes foram usadas, sendo: plantios com espécies exóticas, floresta nativa, capoeiras (vegetação nativa < 2 m de altura) e áreas abertas (campo abandonado, pastagens, área agrícola e solo exposto). Foi analisada a relação entre as mudanças na paisagem e as mudanças na abundância e diversidade de aves de floresta, de área aberta, de borda e especialistas de bambu. Foram calculadas as estimativas de riqueza para cada ano estudado. A riqueza registrada na área de estudo foi de 96 espécies e as estimativas foram 114, 118 e ...

Abstract:In this study the community of birds in a small size remnant (10 ha) of Araucária forest, located in the city of Tijucas do Sul, Paraná was evaluated. During the period of November, 1999 to April 2001, 15 surveys had been carried, in which capture with mist nets and visual and aural contacts were used to estimate avian abundance and richness. We recorded 118 species of 35 families. According to the frequency of occurrence around 44% of species were considered with low frequency. When analyzed the trophics guilds, omnivorous and insectivorous of foliage were the most representative. By the capture method had been gotten 501 captures of 47 species. The capture species had relative abundances varying from 0.31 to 13.16% and the uniformity index was 0.83, demonstrating that the avian assemblage had a low dominance of some species. The structure of avian assemblage registered is expected for a small size remnant, with high relative abundance of generalists species and guilds, and the presence of a high number of species with low frequency of occurrence. Despite of, the specific composition presents a great number of species forest dependents showing that this forest remnant has a important role in the maintenance of species regionally.