Abstract
Aiming to evaluate the potential of Passerine birds as bioindicators of forest fragmentation, we studied the avifauna in the mountain region of the state of Rio de Janeiro by mist-netting between 2001 and 2005. We sampled six sites, including four small fragments (from 4 to 64 ha) in an agricultural area (Teresópolis), one second-growth forest (440 ha - Miguel Pereira) and a continuous forest (10,600 ha, Serra dos Orgãos National Park - SONP). Indicator Species analysis and a Monte Carlo test were run to detect associations between species and sites, considering at least 30% of perfect indication and a significant value for the statistical test, only considering species with at least 10 captures. A total of 30 Passerine birds were sampled, and due to their association to the largest area (SONP), we considered Sclerurus scansor, Mionectes rufiventris, Chiroxiphia caudata and Habia rubica as the best indicators for this area. Five species were more captured not by chance in the 440 ha second-growth: Conopophaga melanops, Myiobius barbatus, Myrmeciza loricata, Philydor atricapillus and Schiffornis virescens and no species were related to any small fragment. This analysis has identified specialized Passerine species in many aspects (foraging substract, needs for nesting, rarity status), and it can be a valuable tool for detecting possible bioindicators.
Highlights
IntroductionFragmentation is a serious threat for the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and today it is estimated only 7% remains
Ecological indicators have been used to detect changes in nature for the last 40 years, and currently, they are mainly used to assess the condition of the environment (Niemi and McDonald, 2004), and one of the aspects that have been evaluated by ecological indicators is the landscape fragmentation (O’Neill et al, 1988).Fragmentation is a serious threat for the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and today it is estimated only 7% remainsBraz
In order to estimate the potential of some Passerine birds as bioindicators of forest fragmentation in the Atlantic forest, we have conducted this research in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil, from October 2001 to July 2005
Summary
Fragmentation is a serious threat for the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and today it is estimated only 7% remains. The Atlantic Forest harbors 688 breeding species of birds (Goerck, 1997), only one bird species is truly registered as extinct in this ecosystem, but many species are endangered (Collar et al, 1992). In the state of Rio de Janeiro, the most important remnants of this ecosystem are in the mountains, and mainly restricted to fragments. This state hosts 653 taxa of birds, including 82 threatened, 38 p robably threatened and 25 without enough data for evaluation of their status (Alves et al, 2000)
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