Publication of new scientific papers
| Monday, 02 December 2013 10:51 |
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The aim of the first paper is to describe the seasonal evolution of a passerine assemblage in two reed beds at Urdaibai, a typical Cantabrian estuary. We sampled a large, monospecific reed bed with no tidal influence (Barrutia) and a small tidal reed bed where the reeds are mixed with other halophytic plants (Nekesolo). Diversity at Nekesolo was higher than at Barrutia, in part due to the higher heterogeneity of habitats at Nekesolo.
The paper explains how in 2009 environmental improvements began in an area invaded by an exotic plant, Baccharis halimifolia, difficult to eradicate. These management measures originated a wetland that was quickly colonising by waterfowl, including the eurasian spoonbill. Traditionally this species stopover in Urdaibai during migration seasons to rest and feed, but remained in the reserve just for a few hours. However, since they started stopping at Gautegiz Arteaga, these stops were lengthened more than two days on average. In addition, it has been observed a change in their behavior, since their presence in Urdaibai used to be only in migration seasons and mostly in the fall, but was extended to the whole year, although it remained lower in winter and summer seasons. As the marshes of Gautegiz Arteaga do not suffer continuing human disturbance, it´s a place where eurasian spoonbills can stay longer throughout the year, so clearly there is a positive impact on the species. Both papers can be downloaded at the Publications section of this website.
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Within the researches that Urdaibai Bird Center is developping, they have been completed recently two new publications; one related to reed bed communities, and other regarding to the impact of Orueta marshes in eurasian spoonbil (Platalea leucorodia). 
Barrutia hosted and was dominated by typical reed-bed species such as Acrocephalus warblers. Nekesolo was marginal for this type of species but hosted more marsh birds associated with open areas such as Bluethroat Luscinia svecica and Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis. Barrutia hosted more birds than Nekesolo in terms of abundance. The existence of different types of reed beds in the area plays a key role in guaranteeing the greater ornithological richness at Urdaibai.
The second, explains the impact of a recently created wetland on Eurasian spoonbills at Urdaibai marshes (Gautegiz Arteaga).This paper was presented as a poster in 2012 at the 7th International Workshop on Spatula, VII Eurosite Spoonbill Workshop whose theme was the knowledge transfer, benefits for spatulas and other associated waterfowl and published as a paper in the minutes of these days.
