On the possible extinction of bird species in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil.

The Upper Paraná River floodplain (UPR) represents the last stretch of the Paraná River in Brazilian territory where a river-floodplain ecosystem still exists. However, the region had been subjected to intense deforestation in previous decades, and more than half of the original floodplain has been lost due to the construction of the Porto Primavera dam, which may have resulted in the local extinction of species. In the present study, we compared the list of bird species recorded before the construction of Porto Primavera dam (1926-1996) to that gotten afterwards (1999-2007) under the Long-Term Ecological Research program (LTER-site 6). We aim to investigate biogeographical and ecological traits of species potentially lost in the UPR. Endemism, proximity to the edge of species' geographic range, low tolerance to human-altered habitats and habitat specificity were associated to the potential extinction of birds in the UPR. The region represents an important opportunity for conservation, and should be target of conservation efforts to avoid further loss of species and ecological processes.

On the possible extinction of bird species in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil / Sobre a possível extinção de aves da planície alagável do Alto Rio Paraná, Brasil

The Upper Paraná River floodplain (UPR) represents the last stretch of the Paraná River in Brazilian territory where a river-floodplain ecosystem still exists. However, the region had been subjected to intense deforestation in previous decades, and more than half of the original floodplain has been lost due to the construction of the Porto Primavera dam, which may have resulted in the local extinction of species. In the present study, we compared the list of bird species recorded before the construction of Porto Primavera dam (1926-1996) to that gotten afterwards (1999-2007) under the Long-Term Ecological Research program (LTER-site 6). We aim to investigate biogeographical and ecological traits of species potentially lost in the UPR. Endemism, proximity to the edge of species' geographic range, low tolerance to human-altered habitats and habitat specificity were associated to the potential extinction of birds in the UPR. The region represents an important opportunity for conservation, and should be target of conservation efforts to avoid further loss of species and ecological processes.

A planície alagável do Alto Rio Paraná (ARP) representa o último trecho do Rio Paraná em território brasileiro em que ainda existe um extensivo ecossistema do tipo rio-planície alagável. No entanto, a região sofreu intenso processo de desmatamento nas décadas passadas e mais da metade da extensão original da planície foi perdida com a formação do lago da usina hidrelétrica de Porto Primavera, o que pode ter resultado na extinção local de espécies. No presente estudo, comparou-se a lista de espécies de aves registradas no ARP antes da construção da referida usina (1926-1996) com aquelas registradas após este período (1999-2007) no âmbito do programa de Pesquisas Ecológicas de Longa Duração (PELD-sítio 6), com o objetivo de investigar características biogeográficas e ecológicas das espécies potencialmente extintas no local. Endemismo, proximidade das espécies de seus limites de distribuição geográfica, baixa tolerância a habitats alterados e especificidade de habitat podem estar associados à perda de espécies no ARP. A região representa uma importante oportunidade para a conservação e deve receber esforços para evitar a perda futura de espécies e de processos ecológicos.

Terrestrial passerines in an Atlantic forest remnant of Southern Brazil.

Microhabitats of four terrestrial passerines were studied in an Atlantic forest remnant of southern Brazil, in two areas (northern and southern) of the Mata dos Godoy State Park (PG). Grallaria varia and Hylopezus nattereri showed low abundance and occurred in only one PG area, while Chamaeza campanisona and Corythopis delalandi were recorded in two. The microhabitats of C. campanisona, G. varia, and H. nattereri had many large trees and a dense understory. Corythopis delalandi was in areas having few large trees.

Terrestrial passerines in an Atlantic forest remnant of Southern Brazil

Os microhábitats de quatro passeriformes de solo foram estudados no Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy, um fragmento de floresta Atlântica no Sul do Brasil. Grallaria varia e Hylopezus nattereri apresentaram baixa abundância e ocorrência em apenas uma área do PG, enquanto Chamaeza campanisona e Corythopis delalandi foram registrados nas duas áreas. Os microhábitats de C. campanisona, G. varia e H. nattereri apresentaram muitas árvores de grande porte e um estrato inferior denso. O microhábitat de C. delalandi apresentou poucas árvores de grande porte.