Habitat Use and the Effects of Disturbance on Wintering Birds Using Riparian Habitats in Sonora, Mexico
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2007 HABITAT USE AND THE EFFECTS OF DISTURBANCE ON WINTERING BIRDS USING RIPARIAN HABITATS IN SONORA, MEXICO Jose Fernando Villasenor The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Villasenor, Jose Fernando, "HABITAT USE AND THE EFFECTS OF DISTURBANCE ON WINTERING BIRDS USING RIPARIAN HABITATS IN SONORA, MEXICO" (2007). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 507. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/507 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HABITAT USE AND THE EFFECTS OF DISTURBANCE ON WINTERING BIRDS USING RIPARIAN HABITATS IN SONORA, MEXICO By José Fernando Villaseñor Master of Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 1993 Biologist, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México, 1986 Dissertation Paper presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy in Organismal Biology and Ecology The University of Montana Missoula, MT Autumn 2006 Approved by: Dr. David A. Strobel, Dean Graduate School Dr. Richard L. Hutto, Chair Division of Biological Sciences Dr. Creagh Breuner Division of Biological Sciences Dr. Lisa Eby Department of Forestry Dr. Erick Greene Division of Biological Sciences Dr. Donald Jenni Division of Biological Sciences Villaseñor, J. Fernando, Ph.D., Autumn 2006 Organismal Biology and Ecology Habitat use and the effects of disturbance on wintering birds using riparian habitats in Sonora, Mexico. Chairperson: Dr. Richard L. Hutto Abstract: Riparian systems are important for breeding bird communities in southwestern United States and northern Mexico, and are highly used as migratory corridors; however, their importance for wintering birds has not been assessed systematically. In order to assess the value of riparian areas for birds wintering in Sonora, data from 1,816 standard point counts were collected from 87 locations during January and February 2004-2006. A total of 253 species were detected across 14 vegetation types, including nine categories of riparian vegetation. The mean number of species and individuals detected per count was significantly higher in riparian vegetation than in non-riparian vegetation for migratory species, but not for residents. Riparian bird communities are different from those in non-riparian habitats, and contribute 22% of the regional avifauna’s species. The “Balanced Breeding Limitation Hypothesis” is discussed as a possible explanation of the relatively high abundance of migrant species wintering in riparian environments. Anthropogenic disturbance has imposed significant changes in riparian habitats, and is known to have negative effects on biological communities. To assess the effects of human induced disturbance on wintering bird communities, I recorded community composition, relative abundance of species, and three indicators of bird condition in relatively undisturbed and highly disturbed sites at three river systems in Sonora. My results indicate that there is, in general, little effect of disturbance on the composition of wintering communities, with less than 20% of the most common species having significant differences in their abundances between relatively undisturbed and highly disturbed sites. Condition indicators were similar in the two disturbance levels, but the mean heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in the blood of sampled birds showed increased levels of physiological stress in disturbed sites. A more experimental approach is needed to determine the specific cause of the stress expression in leucocytes. Modification of natural flooding regimes has resulted in the decrease and loss of riparian native corridors, the invasion of exotic plants, and changes in associated animal communities, as has been the case in the Colorado River Delta. In the final chapter, I present a summary of the changes experienced by riparian systems and some of the measures implemented for riparian restoration in the southwestern United States, and then I compare the scenario with that in central Sonora, where some of the same stressors exist on riparian systems, but where traditional management practices have also mitigated some of the negative consequences of flow control along mid-sized river systems. To place my own bird survey data in a broader context, I appended a compilation of more than 48,500 records from between 1849 and 2006 on the birds of Sonora from published accounts, museum specimens, and my own field work. They include a total of 533 species, nine of which were added from the compilation and my own field work. I also discuss the status of other species for the State’s inventory. ii Dedication This paper is dedicated to three pioneers in biological research of the post-naturalist era in Michoacán, México. During their time, each had a vision that inspired biology students and professionals to pursue advanced degrees in Biological Sciences, and they had a particularly important influence on my development as a scientist and professor. Sócrates Cisneros Paz… hard working scientist, philosopher, human, intense writer, poet, and visionary… He knew in his heart that the future is in the hands of young people, and until the last days of his life he kept that important connection. I am sure he can see now his legacy as the intellectual, who established the basis for the study of the “natural resources” and the most important biological groups in Michoacán, today embodied in the research labs at the Facultad de Biología, UMSNH. Francisco Méndez García… inspiring professor, avid lector, sower, and catalyst of initiatives… He has been a leader in designing and constantly updating the study plans for the formation of modern biologists in Mexico. He initiated the study of birds and promoted the foundation of the bird collection at UMSNH, beginning with a group of students who he involved in a common adventure that continues still and will go on into the future. By leading, trusting and supporting students, he set up the conditions for them to freely walk pathways never imagined. He is able to see the fruits of such endeavors in the present. Laura E. Villaseñor Gómez... creative thinker, innate explorer, fighter, and never- ending dreamer… As part of the “new” generation of biologists, she has put her soul in the rejuvenation of the role of scientists and educators. I am sure that her philosophy of applying her knowledge and experience to change minds and hearts for a better future is rooting, and will bear abundant fruit soon. With her, I took my first steps into the discovery of Nature’s splendor, learned and worked through good and hard times, and shared precious moments that will remain a part of the best memories of my life. This effort is dedicated to each of you. iii Acknowledgements This research was part of the “Western North American Land Bird Project: Wintering Habitats in Sonora”, a project funded by the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Agreement No. 201814J856), through the Sonoran Joint Venture, the University of Montana, and Instituto de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable of Sonora (IMADES). I personally thank the support of Robert Mesta, Mike Scott, Dick Hutto, Rob Hazlewood, and Carol Breadmore. The author was also supported by Programa de Mejoramiento del Profesorado de Educación Superior (PROMEP), as part of Programas de Doctorado al Extranjero de Alta Calidad through Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH-138) during the duration of the studies at the University of Montana, from 2003 to 2006. Assistance was provided by Rita Guadalupe Dávila Vindiola and Eduardo Gómez Limón during the complete period of field work, and I am deeply grateful to them. The support of Juan José Rivera Díaz, Leonardo Villaseñor Gómez, Fátima Méndez, Philip J. Micheal, Denise Avila Jiménez, Sahira Aracely Leyva Briseño, and Rosalío León Carrazco in field activities and logistics was also very valuable. Thanks to you all! The use of an important part of the field equipment during my research was possible thanks to the Avian Science Center at the University of Montana. Adolfo G. Navarro Sigüenza from Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, provided essential information on bird specimens obtained in Sonora, which are part of the database of the monumental work “Atlas de las Aves de México.” Hesiquio Benítez Díaz and Mariana Escobar from Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO) in Mexico, made available basic databases that helped me through the analysis of the information on birds of Sonora. I also thank Octavio Rojas Soto, for providing me of his recent publication on the Birds of Isla Tiburón. Additional unpublished information, editing, and critical comments on my manuscript and results were offered by Aaron D. Flesch, Osvel Hinojosa-Huerta, Phil J. Micheal, and Dessire Gerner, and especially Carol Vleck during her visit to the University of Montana. Finally, I express my deep gratitude to the members of my graduate committee: Creagh