Importance of peatlands to maintain avian diversity in the Bolivian High Andes

Abstract

The High Andean peatlands are peat-accumulating wetlands dominated by cushion-forming plants and are embedded in a matrix of puna grasslands above 4,000 m. These ecosystems are an essential source of water and evergreen vegetation for wild and domestic animals and are considered sensitive to environmental alterations. We studied the birds' habitat and microhabitat preference in peatlands and their surrounding grasslands in the Cordillera Real, Bolivia. We established 3 parallel transects around 12 peatlands: (1) in peatland, (2) at 100–200 m from the peatland edge, considered as the transition habitat between peatlands and grasslands, and (3) in puna grasslands at >500 m from the peatland edge. We quantified bird abundance, species richness, and the availability of 8 microhabitats along 36 transects. We recorded 934 individuals of 34 species and found higher bird species richness and abundance in peatlands than in surrounding grasslands and transition habitats. We found that 26% of bird species were exclusive to peatlands. While most bird species common in peatlands were almost nonexistent in other habitats, most species associated with grasslands were also found in proximity to peatlands. A canonical correspondence analysis showed that bird species were associated with one or more microhabitats. The high abundance, bird species richness, and diet types in peatlands is probably related to the high primary productivity of peatlands and year-round availability of water. Degradation of these peatlands may reduce the abundance of regional bird communities, not only peatland specialists but also species in surrounding habitats.