Conservation status of the birds of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and Reserve

Abstract

The conservation status of the birds of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and Reserve is evaluated in the present paper. All 113 resident birds in the study area were considered in the methodology which consists in assessing the conservation status of each species through an index made up by 12 survival-related variables. A list of species ordered according to their conservation indices for Argentina was obtained. The addition of one variable accounting for the particular situation of the species within the study area, allowed the elaboration of another list showing the conservation requirements for the Park and Reserve. The variables with the greatest influence upon the index value were those related to distribution, space-use plasticity, reproductive potential and trophic amplitude. The results were compared with conservation evaluations of the same species made by other researchers and institutions. Differences and similarities between evaluations were detected. Both the index value and its component variables provide a useful tool in making decisions for conservation and management.