Influence of habitat modification by livestock on páramo bird abundance in southern Andes of Ecuador

Abstract

ABSTRACTLivestock grazing on natural grasslands is widespread with negative consequences to biodiversity. In the High Andes, páramo grassland is a distinctive ecosystem where the influence of livestock grazing on páramo birds is poorly documented. We assessed the influence of habitat modification of páramo grassland related to livestock grazing on bird habitat guilds in the southern Andes of Ecuador. We recorded birds occurring along transects located in areas which showed a gradient (low to high) of grazing pressure. We found a decrease in abundance of páramo specialists in transects with more grazing pressure. We interpret this habitat modification as loss of key habitat necessary for habitat-specialized birds.