Community Monitoring of the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) Project Overview and Projection for 2014
By: Jennifer Lowry
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Table of contents:
Overview:……………………………………………………………………………………….....3
Summary:………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Methods:…………………………………………………………………………………………..8
References:……………………………………………………………………………………...…8
Budget:…………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Agenda:…………………………………………………………………………………………..10
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Continuing the Community Monitoring Program Community: Santa María de los Cocos Focal Species: Ara militaris- Military Macaw – Guacamaya Verde Created by Jennifer Lowry
OVERVIEW
The Need For Monitoring:
Denoted as Appendix 1 of CITES and classified as endangered in Mexico by SEMARNAT in 2002, the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) has only 4 unique but fragmented populations in Mexico (Rivera-Ortíz et al. 2008). These populations consist of 30-90 individuals, however, not much is known about their ecology because of the difficult access to remote breeding and foraging sites; where not much published information is available (Carreón 1997, Loza 1997, Gaucín, 2000, Gómez-Garduño 2004). Limited foraging studies have been completed in Mexico, but suggested that the Military Macaws are specialized grainivores and have a limited but variable diet seasonally (Contreras-González et al. 2009).
Limited published information is available on their breeding ecology, but it appears that populations of Military Macaws do not share a synchronized breeding schedule. In the Sótano del Barro area, Gaucín (2000) suggested that pair formation starts November and terminates in February, with the primary nesting period being from May to June. This study lacks fledgling data and only located 7 nests in the Sótano del Barro and 2 nests in Arroyo Hondo, but suggests more nests were present and included Chuveje as a potential nesting site. Nests were formed on cliff sides, though populations on the pacific side of Mexico nested in tree cavities (Forshaw 1977, Carreón 1997, Loza 1997). The Military Macaws that were censused in Cañón de Arroyo Hondo from 1997-1999 shows that the population abundance changes monthly, with no way to predict abundance unless more is understood about their ecology. For example, in September 1997 there were about 75 birds, in September 1998 there were about 23 birds and in September 1999 there were about 58 birds. In December, January, February 1998 there appeared to be 0 birds, but the following year (1999), there were about 10-28 (not respectively) birds during those months. Please see Graph 1 from Gaucín (2000) for details.
From our study in 2013 (in press), we concluded that the baseline population of Military Macaws are 81 individuals. We documented 19 active holes, presumably nests, and are confident that over 12 active holes were nests.
Threats to these birds include habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. Climate change may increase threats, especially as not much is known about the ecology of these birds and if altitudinal migrations are driven by availability of seeds and fruit that could change in response to climate. Community monitoring can be a way to increase the knowledgebase as nothing has been published since 2000 in this region of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. Additional benefits of community monitoring include lower costs then a professionally staffed monitoring program, increased stability if funding or government changes, educates the community on their environment and needs to conserve resources, empowers the community, and also can improve
3 the social fabric of the community by increased communication and trust by creating a safe space for dialogue.
SUMMARY
Community Monitoring of the Military Macaws Project
The Community Monitoring of the Military Macaws project trained indigenous people in citizen science methods to monitor and protect the endangered Military Macaws and increase scientific knowledge and conservation in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, Queretaro, Mexico.
Project Description
The Community Monitoring of the Military Macaw project dovetails science and social change. It is a creative and participatory solution to the current unsustainable development practices occurring at a fast pace in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. It is an experimental education based project that strives to deliver science and opportunities to a very important community that is responsible for the stewardship of the only and currently documented, largest population of Military Macaws (Ara militaris) in Mexico.
The project utilized both traditional and experimental hands-on learning that focused on giving proper feedback and personal evaluations, making it an iterative process that personalizes the educational experience to fit the skill level of individuals and the group. Workshops also empowered and challenged the community monitors in their personal growth as citizen scientists. Scientific emphasis was placed on data quality, standardization, field ethics, ecology of the Military Macaw, environmental education, while encouraging the monitors in creative exploration of developing and testing their own hypothesis on behaviors and other interests of these macaws. Some activities included art and more creative activities to encourage critical thinking and problem solving; an issue that is stagnant in current educational approaches.
After initial training, monitors and Lowry started field work at the Sótano del Barro, which is the main roosting and nesting site in a giant, cave-like sink hole. Monitors and Lowry have also documented feeding, water drinking, and an unknown wing display ritual that the monitors brought to Lowry’s attention at our study site. The field work comprised of 3 or more days of full day observations from dawn until dusk. As the Sótano is about 6 km away, we camped in an Ejido area to maintain distance to the macaws. Each morning the monitors and Lowry would census the macaw population using a double to multiple observer method. We have 5 fixed stations around the Sótano, but only the 3 farthest stations from the macaws are active in the morning as the macaws wait to leave in the defined tree-filled area inside the Sótano. When the macaws leave to forage by mid-morning, we permit 2-3 monitors at the other stations to look for additional activity such as nesting, which occurs inside small holes along the vertical cliff walls.
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Our protocol respects distance to the macaws to ensure no negative impacts. There has been no current scientific information published on the population status, ecology, or landuse habits of the Queretaro Military Macaws. The only publication in 2000 came from a 2 year study. Much of the landscape and other factors have changed drastically since then. Monitors and Lowry took quantative and qualitative data.
The monitor’s field data was evaluated by Lowry after field excursions to give prompt individual feedback, and incorporated common themes or data quality issues into the design of the next workshop and educational activities. The monitors learning interests were also included in each future workshop design, as general interest in birds increased during this time. Repetition and different presentation of material was used to achieve scientific learning.
However, this project has some important principles. The first is that this project, though Lowry implemented it, is community owned. This allows the community the opportunities to do as they wish with the results and methods; possibly to increase their local economy or sustainable ecotourism, or explore other visions. The second is that everyone is a teacher; though a professional scientist may be assisting a community in understanding science concepts, the scientist is also learning from the community. This encourages the community to protect their natural heritage and indigenous knowledge; and understand their personal importance to humanity and conservation. This is important as there is general misconception of community people and their abilities that is widespread in Mexico.
Our first field season started in March and concluded in November 2013. We documented over 12 nests and concluded that the macaws do not migrate together. It seems from our one year data set that there may be 3 groups of macaws; however more research is needed to draw a conclusion. We had nesting later than usual when compared to the only published article in 2000. It is possible that climate change may impact this species as the rain came later than usual in this past year. The community of Santa Maria de los Cocos currently has 14 dedicated monitors. This project has shown admirable changes in the general attitude of the community towards nature. There is currently less garbage on the ground, a dedicated macaw day to celebrate the species, and a notable increase in bird conservation and the environment. The community has expressed that they never knew how important they were, as no one has bothered to tell them they hold the main nesting area of 1 in 4 documented populations of Military Macaws in all of Mexico.
Currently Lowry is searching for a means to continue this project as it is critical to sustainable community development and also conservation of this endangered, charismatic parrot. This crucial area should be a top priority for the Mexican Federal Government and other entities; however, due to political strife, funding may be a challenge this year.
People involved in project
The people involved in this project are primarily local indigenous community members from Santa Maria de los Cocos, who live in poverty and have limited access to education and resources. The Peace Corps Volunteer program supplied financial assistance for project start up in 2013. Other stake holders that have been collaborating by providing logistical support include
5 authorities from the local municipality Arroyo Seco , and La Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) the Federal Mexican Government, who is in charge of Protected Areas and the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, Queretaro, Mexico. Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory has also been involved in pre-project guidance and advice.
Direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project
The direct beneficiaries of this project are the community members of Santa Maria de los Cocos and the Military Macaws through direct on-the-ground conservation action that resulted from this project. The indirect beneficiaries are the scientific community and Mexican Federal Government as they now have some new knowledge on the ecological needs from data produced by the community monitors and biologist working in the field.
Project original features
Lowry’s project combines education and an economic incentive for the community monitors. This ensures that their work as a citizen scientist is taken seriously and provides quality data. I have witnessed many of the community monitors passing this small payment for their data along to their family to be used as payments for school supplies for younger siblings attending high school in the city.
Our study site is about 6 km up a steep mountain grade to the Sotano del Barro, where the Military Macaws roost and nest. The monitors and Lowry camp at a site nearby. This camping experience was new to the community monitors, and Lowry has used this opportunity to teach them low-impact camping, first aid, survival skills, and other wildlife observation skills. It is mandatory to pick up garbage left by tourists or outsiders during our decent after the field work is done on our 3-4 day trips at the Sótano del Barro.
Lowry used a mixture of hands-on activities, art, and traditional education methods to help the community members and monitors understand scientific concepts. Lowry has also introduced the concept of climate change, low-impact farming, and increased the general interest of conserving birds through our occasional bird walks in which children are eager to participate.
We have completed a Nature Library that we are trying to fill with books, field guides, and other resources in 2014. This Nature Library will also showcase the work of the community monitors as many are investigating their own hypothesis on Military Macaw behavior and ecology.
Potential geographical or situational application of project
As there is no data on where the Military Macaw migrates during October-February, the methods of this project have expanded to other communities to allow for further data collection on this species, while bringing benefits to the local people. These methods can also be applied to other endangered species to understand ecological needs and create conservation action plans. After these communities have more experience as citizen scientists, more species at risk can be added to create an overall community monitoring program in Protected Areas in Mexico as the Federal Mexican Government often lacks the resources to pay professional scientists.
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Business case for sustainable development
The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is experiencing a rush in unsustainable development which is displacing the importance of endemic biodiversity and the culture of the native indigenous communities as many outside interests compete for economic exploitation of minerals and forest resources. The majorities of these indigenous people do not have access to education or economic opportunities and are becoming displaced or choose to participate in unsustainable and dangerous practices such as mining, which has shown to be very detrimental to the water supply and human health. The Community Monitoring of the Military Macaw project is striving to communicate the importance of this project and aims to become a regional program, with the goal of providing further education and economic opportunities to these community people. Community monitors have already documented new behaviors of this endangered bird, and if this project can continue, it can create a sustainable, green, local conservation economy. It is time that we start exploring more creative opportunities that is economically feasible and conserves nature and the indigenous people who are stewards of the land.
Success to date
The community monitors have completed one full year of training and field work and now have an understanding of basic science principals such as the scientific method, how to minimize biased data, and scientific data collection techniques. This year we registered 81 individuals, and 12 nests. This is the first investigation on this endangered bird in over 15 years and nothing was known in regards to the status of this population prior to this project. We also documented novel behavior, such as a unique wing ritual that passes after the main nesting season. The community also shows a sense of pride and ownership in the project, and they have been very vocal in the needs to continue it.
The contribution and application of supportive funding and additional
Additional funding goes directly to the project. Each community owns their project and are prioritize decision making. them in every decision as they are the citizen scientists and the owner of this project. The community monitors and Lowry will assess what scientific equipment is lacking, field guides needed for the nature library, how many other communities we can collaborate with in order to amplify the project to understand how the macaws use the landscape, and how much is needed to continue the intensive labor of the community monitor’s data collection. The community and Lowry would like to make a conservation corridor for the Military Macaws. It is also very important to help us reach a worldwide audience to address the need to continue this project and spread awareness on the critical status of this endangered parrot.
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METHODS
Transects to count birds are not recommended because it is a one species focus where roosting is known, and the time and energy spent on making transects may not produce good results. Five fixed census points have been established around roosting sites at the Sótano del Barro to census populations leaving at dawn and document behavior during the day. Each census point offers 180- 360 degree view of the Sótano del Barro. Strict protocols are in place to prevent double counting of birds and assure no negative impacts to these birds. We use a rapid assessment method with monitor data sets compared to a professional scientist’s data set. Data is reviewed and proofed after field excursions, with prompt feedback delivered to the monitors. During pair formation and breeding season, data is obtained on behavior, nests, and fledgling success. Results are mapped during the migration to evaluate dispersion trends after nesting begins.
REFERENCES
BirdLife International 2011. Ara militaris. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2.
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85. Available: http://www.conabio.gob.mx/informacion/catalogo_ autoridades/NOM-059-SEMARNAT- 2001 / NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001.pdf
BUDGET
Item Price/item Total per (USD) Month Bus transportation Queretaro to Jalpan and back $60 $60 Cost of each workshops $75 $300 Mule for carrying equipment $20 $20 Cost of excursion, camping, and data collection at Sótano $20 $60-80 del Barro Notebooks for data collection $3 $3 Room and board for scientist $10 $70 Payment for work by a Community Monitors (4 $10 $30-40 monitors for 3-4 days)
TOTAL $573
NOTE THAT ONLY 9 MONTHS ARE NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY OF SMDLC AS NO DATA COLLECTION IS NEEDED DURING MIGRATION
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MONTHLY AGENDA
Activity Total Days per Month Work with Monitors of Santa Maria de los Cocos 7 Workshops 4 Camping excursión to Sótano del Barro for data 3-4 collection Data review and feedback 1
REPORTS GENERATED IN JANUARY DURING MIGRATION
OTHER PRODUCTS SUCH AS PHOTOS AND MID-SEASON REPORTS PRODUCED BY AUGUST 2014
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