Abstract

RUIZ-AYMA, Gabriel et al. Population density and characteristics of winter sites of the Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) in northeastern Mexico. Huitzil [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.2, e657.  Epub Mar 05, 2024. ISSN 1870-7459.  https://doi.org/10.28947/hrmo.2023.24.2.752.

The Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) primarily inhabits lowland grasslands of North America, where its populations have decreased due to habitat loss. Currently, little information exists on the species’ population size and habitat at wintering sites. Between 2007 and 2012, we estimated population density of the Mountain Plover and characterized habitat at its wintering sites in northeastern Mexico. We estimated plover density using the perpendicular distance method along 44 2-km length transects. We characterized foraging and roosting habitat by evaluating the height, vegetation cover, and importance value of herbaceous and shrubby plants in 60 quadrants of 1 m2 and 25 m2, respectively. Mountain Plover density declined over the five seasons, with highest density of 0.35 ind/ha in 2008-2009, beginning to decrease during the third season with 0.26 ind/ha in 2010-2011, and recording the lowest density of 0.15 ind/ha in 2011-2012. Vegetation cover with herbaceous and shrubby layers was 62% in foraging sites and 38% in roosting sites, with grasses of Aristida haradii, Bouteloua karwinskii, B. dactyloides, and the shrub Atriplex canescens providing greatest cover. Our results indicate a persistent population decline of the Mountain Plover at its wintering sites in northeastern Mexico. Based on our habitat assessment, future conservation strategies for the Mountain Plover should ensure the protection of grasslands with high plant diversity and high vegetation cover.

Keywords : Shorebirds; Distance density estimates; winter habitat use; grasslands; population estimate.