Abstract

GOMEZ, Viviana; FAGGI, Ana  and  MARTINEZ CARRETERO, Eduardo. Birds as urbanization indicators in the Mendoza piedmont. Multequina [online]. 2021, vol.30, n.1, pp.167-180. ISSN 1852-7329.

The Mendoza piedmont is under a process of increasing urbanization. The environmental impacts are estimated and related to the richness and abundance of birds. It is hypothesized that the presence or absence of native birds in the foothills is a valid thermometer of impact on the initial natural conditions produced by urban advance. For this, nine subareas were surveyed in the urban area and two sectors of the piedmont: a consolidated area and an unconsolidated one. Randomly located transects were used to record richness and abundance of birds, composition, structure and vegetation cover, as well as threats. In the urban area, the specific richness accounts to 111 exotic plants, 61 species of birds; in the piedmont 21 introduced plants and 72 birds: 52 in the consolidated area and 20 in the unconsolidated area. In urban areas, tree-lined streets with few remnants of native vegetation, horizontal buildings over 30 years old, and paved areas predominated. These buildings and trees allow bird nesting and shelter. However, these birds are being threatened by pet attacks and weather contingencies. In contrast, the vegetation in the piedmont is predominantly indigenous with introduced vegetation in urbanized areas. The threats to the piedmont birds are clearing for the installation of grey infrastructure and vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Sixteen birds are being proposed as indicators of impact in the piedmont and for environmental monitoring. As vegetation’s clearings due to urban advance endanger the ecosystem functions of the piedmont and impact on the birdlife, xero-gardening with native plant species is highly recommended.

Keywords : Birds; Vegetation; Clearing; Urban forest; Urbanization.

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