GIS application to bird conservation in Puerto Rico

Idelfonso Ruiz, Adrianne Tossas and Ilse Sanders

Environmental Research and Geographic Systems Laboratory (LIASIG)

Inter American University, San Germán

Puerto Rican Vireo Introduction

ƒ GIS can be used to: ƒ show the distribution of focal species ƒ assess areas of high ecological value ƒ promote the conservation and management of species and their habitats

Adelaide’s Warbler Important Bird Areas in PR

ƒ Program established world-wide by BirdLife International ƒ Implemented in the island by PR Ornithological Society ƒ Collaboration established between the LIASIG and NGOs

Puerto Rican Spindalis Objective

ƒ Create a map showing sites in Puerto Rico of international relevance for bird species conservation

Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo Expected outcome Methods

ƒ Ornithologists selected the sites according to standard criteria ƒ Available maps were obtained from government agencies ƒ New polygon were created for private lands

Puerto Rican Woodpecker New maps

Sierra Bermeja ƒ Created with information on the distribution of critical species ƒ Examples: ƒ Cerro Planadas- assemblage of endemic species ƒ Sierra Bermeja- presence of PR Nightjar Selection criteria

ƒ 1. Species of global ƒ 2. Assemblages of conservation concern restricted-range ƒ Endangered species ƒ Threatened ƒ Endemic spp. ƒ Vulnerable

Elfin Woods Warbler Puerto Rican Tody Selection criteria

ƒ 3. Assemblages of ƒ 4. Congregations biome-restricted ƒ Breeding colonies species ƒ Migration bottlenecks ƒ Endemic to ƒ Mainly waterfowl and Caribbean seabirds

Brown Booby Plain Pigeon Results: Sites selected

ƒ Aguirre (1) ƒ Guánica (1,2,3) ƒ Boquerón (1,2) ƒ Guilarte (1,2) ƒ Boquerón/ La Parguera ƒ Humacao Lagoons (1) (1,2) ƒ Jobos (1) ƒ Cabo Rojo Salt Flats (1,4) ƒ La Cordillera (4) ƒ Cambalache (2) ƒ Maricao (1,2,3) ƒ Caño Tiburones (1,2,3) ƒ Mona Island (1,2) ƒ Carite (1,2) ƒ Río Abajo (1,2) ƒ Ceiba (1,2,3) ƒ Sierra Bermeja (1,2) ƒ Cerro Planadas (2) ƒ Susúa (1,2) ƒ Culebra (4) ƒ Tres Picachos (2) ƒ El Yunque (1,2) ƒ Toro Negro (2) ƒ Guajataca (2) ƒ Vieques (1,4) Important Bird Areas in Puerto Rico

Plain Pigeon Habitat

Criteria 1,2

Conclusion

ƒ GIS proved to be an useful tool to demonstrate the distribution of important sites for bird conservation in PR ƒ These sites represent the most critical habitats according to international standards ƒ The conservation of these sites will ensure the preservation of the island’s biodiversity Acknowledgements ƒ Glenis Padilla, William Hernández and Manuel Cruz- preparation of maps ƒ Government agencies- for providing map layers ƒ BirdLife International ƒ PR Ornithological Society

Puerto Rican Screech Ow