Abstract

RAMIREZ-ALAN, Oscar; VARGAS-MASIS, Roberto  and  CORDERO, Roberto A. Cambios en la distribución altitudinal de las aves de Río Macho, Cartago, Costa Rica. Hornero [online]. 2015, vol.30, n.2, pp.55-61. ISSN 0073-3407.

Birds have a high potential as indicators of the effects of climate change, because they are easy to observe and monitoring. Previous studies on the effect of climate change on birds showed that there are significant variations in the distribution of species. Our objective was to evaluate changes in the elevational distribution of the avifauna in Río Macho, Cartago, Costa Rica. We used point counts, transects, mist nets, acoustic recordings and observations in order to record the local avifauna. The maximum elevation previously reported for these species was compared with elevations recorded during this study. We recorded 197 species, and 14.8% of them were observed at a higher elevation than the maximum previously reported. Species inhabiting higher elevations have a greater extinction risk because they cannot move to upper areas. Therefore, we must advance strategies in order to maintain viable populations for endemic species in higher elevations.

Keywords : Altitudinal distribution; Climate change; Costa Rica.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )