Vol. 39 No. 1 (2024)

Ornitholimnological study in the Reloncaví Sound, Northern Patagonia, Chile

Abstract

In this work, an ornitholimnological approach was used to determine the structure of bird assemblages in wetlands of Northern Chilean Patagonia. A greater richness of species was obtained for those wetlands with a greater perimeter (a proxy of the water mirror) and enhanced environmental conditions. Bird counts were made bimonthly, from May to November 2021 and in the winter of that year, nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorous) at the two largest wetlands as well as physicochemical parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen) were determined. When compared with other studies carried out in Chile, a high bird species richness was observed (>70), especially during the counts carried out during high tide. The perimeter of the wetlands was positively related to the abundance of individuals. Wetlands located in the extremes of the study area, with smaller surfaces and irregular shapes exhibited lower abundances and species richness. The opposite occurred with the two largest wetlands, despite them having high loads of nitrogenous and phosphorous nutrients. Further research is needed to explain the importance of other covariables at the landscape level.

References

How to cite

Jaime R. Rau, Norka Fuentes, Jorge Gallardo, Catalina Ríos-Henríquez, Danae Garrido, Dante Lobos-Ovalle (2024). Ornitholimnological study in the Reloncaví Sound, Northern Patagonia, Chile. El Hornero, Vol. 39 No. 1 (2024), 65-77. https://doi.org/10.56178/eh.v39i1.1466

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