Abstract

ZURITA, Gustavo A.  and  BELLOCQ, M. Isabel. Loss and fragmentation of the Paranaense Forest: effects on diurnal raptors. Hornero [online]. 2007, vol.22, n.2, pp.141-147. ISSN 0073-3407.

Raptorial birds are affected by forest loss and fragmentation because of their low density and requirements of large habitat. However, the response of raptors to habitat loss in temperate ecosystems (where low effects were observed) and tropical and subtropical forests (with more important effects) seems to be different. Our objective was to evaluate the response of diurnal raptors to forest loss and fragmentation in the Atlantic Forest. The Atlantic Forest, or Paranaense Forest in Argentina and Paraguay, has been drastically reduced to less than 7% of its original extent. In an area covering 4300 km² of forest and different land uses, we recorded 14 raptor species. Five species were sensible to habitat loss and fragmentation because they were only recorded in landscapes with more than 60% of forest cover. Seven species were recorded in landscapes with low and high forest cover and two species typical from open habitats increased their abundance with forest loss and fragmentation. The low capacity of rainforest raptors to adapt to human matrices, compared to raptors in temperate ecosystems, seems to be one of the factors accounting for the high sensitivity of this community. The conservation of rainforest raptors in the Paranaense Forest requires the maintenance of large areas of continuous forest and large fragments linked by forest corridors.

Keywords : Atlantic Forest; Deforestation; Diurnal raptors; Fragmentation; Paranaense Forest.

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