Birds at Santa Bárbara Ecological Station, one of the last Cerrado remnants in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

In the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, the phytophysiognomy known as Cerrado takes less than 1% of its original cover. Thus, the establishment and management of protected areas are essential to save a significant sample of biodiversity of this environment in the region. The Santa Bárbara Ecological Station is one of the largest protected areas in São Paulo, and one of the few ones to cover a mosaic with most of the vegetation types of Cerrado. This article aims to increase the knowledge of avifauna in the reserve, showing new bird records and evaluating the association of species to their physiognomies. We carried out surveys from 2008 to 2013, which resulted in the record of 226 species, or 246 when in regard to Willis & Oniki’s works (1981, 2003). Twenty-two are regionally threatened, and five globally threatened. Despite showing lower species richness, grasslands stood out because of the number of species of conservation concern. Preventing the densification of woody vegetation and controlling the invasion of alien plants are important management actions for the conservation of the bird assemblages at Santa Bárbara reserve, one of the last open Cerrado remnants in São Paulo.

The importance of protected areas for conservation of bare-faced curassow (Crax fasciolata spix, 1825) (Galliformes: Cracidae) in the São Paulo State, Brazil

“…), pastures, and sugar cane plantations. There are 226 species of birds recorded in this area (Lucindo et al 2015).…”

No Net Loss of Species Diversity After Prescribed Fires in the Brazilian Savanna

“…A complete survey of birds observed in Santa Barbara Ecological Station over a long period before fire, 2008-2013, was carried out by Lucindo et al (2015). For the present study, we recorded birds in the burned and adjacent unburned areas within the experimental blocks (savanna and grassland vegetation), after the second fire (winter 2016), by walking transects during and immediately after fire (10 h in August), and two months later (8 h in October), in the apex of the bird reproductive season.…”

A bird survey in a transitional area between two major conservation hotspots in southeastern Brazil

“…For instance, Motta-Júnior et al (2008) recorded 231 species over 580 h of sampling in 2,300 ha of Cerrado grasslands using point counts. Lucindo et al (2015) recorded 226 species in 380 h of sampling 2,712 ha mixed physiognomies of Cerrado using transect counts.…”

“…by Manica et al (2010), and 6 spp. by Lucindo et al (2015). The presence of such endemic taxa could point to the capacity of the environment to provide sufficient resources across seasons (Antunes 2007) and might be related to the different stages of vegetation regeneration.…”