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Migratory Landbirds Overwintering in The. Neotropics Daniel R

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Migratory Landbirds Overwintering in The. Neotropics Daniel R Management and Conservation Migratory Landbirds Overwintering in the. Neotropics Daniel R. petit1, James F. ~~nch*~Richard 1. ~utto~, John G. lake^, and Robert B. WVaide5 Abstract - Loss of tropical broadleaved forests and concurrent population declines of long-distance migratory birds in temperate breeding areas have been closely linked in both scientific and popular literature; however, little evidence of a causal association currently exists. We review the current land use situation in the neotropics, the projecled outcome of deforestation early in the 21st century, and the extent of knowledge of migratory bird habitat use on the wintering grounds. From that information, we assess the likely current and future impact of deforestation on migratory birds, and examine land use practices that may be compatible with the concept of c~nservationof those species. At least 40Y0 of the original tropical forests have been regeneration Large tracts of mature forest will probably be converted to other land uses. Most remaining tropical forests lie restricted mainly to national parks and reserves. Thus, tropical in the vast Amazon Basin, where few neotropical migrants spend landscapes will be changing increasingly toward "agroscapes". winter. Permanent pasture and agriculture each presently Migmtoy birds as a group a~ most abundant in tropical habitats comprise 10-30% of land area in many countfies. Reasons for that are: (1) disturbed; (2) of medium stature (5-20 m); found the rapid pace of deforestation are deeply rooted in at (3) low ( m) elevations, and (4) high latitudes (15' N); and socioeconomic problems of developing nations; solutions to located (5) on the mainland. Slight to moderate levels of those issues must be realized and implemented before forest disturbance enhance numbers of migrants occupying conversion will slow. Early in the 21st century, once-forested broadleaved fomt sites. However, species vary conside~*ablyin landscapes will most likely be a mosaic of agricultural lands, their preferences for winter habitats, such that broad cattle pasfures, and secondary forests in various stages of generalizations may have limited use for actual on-site management and conservation plans. We examined habitat use by 123 species of migratoq~laudbirds through an extensi~~e '~anielR. Petit, Depaftment of Biological Sciences, Arkansas literature review. Based upon the apparent reliance of species Cooperative Fish and Wldlife Research Unit, Unive&fy ofArkansas, on undisturbed, broadleaved habitak, we identified 23 species Fayetfeville, Arkansas 72701. Present address: Smithsonian k~ EnvironmenfalResearch Center, P.O. Box 28, Edgewafer, Mayland that may be himy vulnerable alteration of tropical forests. 21037. Use or conversion of natural vegetation associations in the '~arnesF. Lynch, Smithsonian Environmenfal Research Center, tropics as it relates to impxts on native flora and fauna can be P.O. Box 28, Edgewate~Maryland 21037. placed under three broad categories: "conservative", 3~icharbL. Hutfo, Division of Biological Sciences, (/nivemTSI@of "sustainable",and "destructive". "Conservative" land uses, such Montana, Missouia, Monfana 59812. as .protected .. parks and reserves, will play a major role in 4~ohnG. Blake, Deparfment of Bioiogy, University of mmbmmg biodiversity. However, future economic growth and Missouri-St. Louis, 800 7 Nafural Bn-dge Road, St Louis, MAiSSoufi retention of natural rewuroes in Latin America rest upon the 63121. concept of "sustainable" development. Several examples of 'Robed B. Waide, Center for Energy and Environment Research, appear Uni~e~tyof Puerto Rico, G.P.O. Box 3682, San Juan, Puerto Rico sustainable forestry, such as sbig clearcuttiog, highly 00936. compatible with goals of management of neotropical migrato~y birds. Finally, "destructive" practices, such as heavily grazed or Development of pragmatic conservation plans for mged pastures and extensive monoculiures, are the greatest overwintering migratory landbirds requires assessment of several threat to migratory birds in Latin America and the Caribbean pertinent questions related to tropical forest alteration and its Several measures need to be enacted within all national potential impact on migratory birds: What are the sociological boundaries to ensure viability of migratory bird populations is and economical correlates of tropical forest destruction? What threatened by events on wintering grounds. These include: is the current extent of forests and other vegetation associations (1) assessment and monitoring of bird populations; (2) in the neotropics? What is the likely scenario for change in these identification of both present and future threats; (3) identification natural resources as we enter the 21st century? What geographic of critical areas and habitats; (4) incorporation of sustainable regions and habitat types do migratory landbirds use and does development into land use planning, and (5) development of a overall habitat use reflect relative suitability? In this chapter, we system of protected reserves. Because neotropical migrants as a briefly review these topics to lay the foundation for our group are more tolerant of forest disruption and assessment of present and future problems faced by migrants in environments than are resident species, conservation of migrants the neotropics and the potential management and conservation could be accomplished within plans devised for resident species. solutions to those issues. Such an analysis is timely in light of the desire of both North American and Latin American governments to prevent further loss of biological diversity, including migratory birds, in the neotropics (Canadian Minister INTRODUCTION of the Environment 1983; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990; U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment 1992). Loss of tropical broadleaved forests (Myers 1980, Lanly 1982) and concurrent population declines of migratory landbirds that breed in temperate North America and overwinter in the FOREST DESTRUCTION AND THE tropics (Robbins et al. 1986, Sauer and Droege 1992) have been STATUS OF TROPICAL FOREST closely linked in both the scientific and popular literature. ASSOClATlONS Conversion and fragmentation of moist, tropical forests has been convincingly implicated in population declines or extirpation of Migratory birds are found in nearly all natural vegetation permanent resident tropical bird species (e.g., Willis 1974, associations in the neotropics, but several vegetation types 'are Lovejoy et al. 1984, Scott and Brooke 1985, Thiollay 1992), particularly important: wetlmoist broadleaved forests, dry but impacts of tropical deforestation on migratory species that broadleaved forests, pine or mixed-pine forests, and mangrove breed in North America are more dubious. The overwintering forests. These categories are used here to develop a basis for period could be a time of intense selective pressure on understanding the extent and reasons for tropical deforestation neotropical migrants because of mortality associated with stress and are discussed in further detail below; vegetation groupings from migratory flights, occupation of unfamiliar habitats by are broad, but information on rates of conversion of specific juvenile birds, and increased competition for food due to inflated vegetation associations in the tropics is not readily available. densities of potential competitors (Morse 1980). Because these Accurate rates of deforestation are acult to determine because pressures should be exacehated in the face of widespread of limited and conflicting data and variable use of such alteration of native vegetative associations, a conceptual basis vocabulary as "deforestation" (TiIamilton 1991). The terms exists for a causal relationship between habitat changes on "deforestation", "removal", and "conversion" (Melillo et al. tropical wintering grounds and breeding populations of migrants. 1985) of tropical forests are used synonymously throughout this However, fm evidence for such a causal relationship remains paper to represent transformation of forested land to shifting obscure because of limited knowledge of ecologies of migrants cultivation, permanent crops, pasture, or extensive clear-cuts. during the boreal winter. Indeed, basic information on habitat Selective logging and other relatively minor disturbances to distributions of migrants during winter (including forests (e.g., collection of firewood) are generally not included habitat-specific survival rates) would greatly reduce the under these headings. Presentday gap between speculation and sound inference. Threat of loss of biological diversity has been an impetus for the global conservation effort during the past several decades. Direct and Indirect Causes of Tropical In this light, recognition of potential future ecological Deforestation catastrophes, such as extinction of plants and animals, is central to developing a coherent strategy for conserving natural Forests in the New World Tropics are typically cut to create communities for future generations. If tropical forest destruction agricultud or grazing lands, or to provide timber products and conversion are potentially responsible for estimated declines (Myers 1981) that are often marketed overseas (e.g., Parsons of certain migratory birds, then efforts must be initiated to 1976). Direct and indirect causes of deforestation are varied and identify, preserve, and manage appropriate tropical habitats for complex, but most can be attributed to socioeconomic those species. inequalities,
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