Diversity and Distribution of Birds at the El Cristal Experimental Station in the Ecuadorian Chocó

Abstract

The Ecuadorian Chocó Biogeographic region has one of the highest avifaunal endemism areas in the world. However, legal and illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change have led to the reduction of habitats for several species in this natural bioregion. Therefore, the objective of our research was to determine the current and future diversity and distribution of birds at the El Cristal Experimental Station, located in Esmeraldas province, focusing on three levels: the experimental station, the Río Negro watershed, and the Ecuadorian Chocó.

To achieve this, we established 27 observation points throughout the research area, which we monitored over six observation outings, each lasting three consecutive days. We also assessed the local conservation status using the SUMIN index. We recorded 91 species belonging to 31 families; 19 species were classified as non-priority according to the SUMIN index, 45 as special attention, and 25 as maximum priority.

To develop distribution models, we selected maximum conservation priority birds: the Umbrella Bird Cephalopterus penduliger, the Barred Hawk Morphnarchus princeps, and the flagship species the Moss-backed Tanager Bangsia edwarsi. For current and future distribution models, we used bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim geoportal and biophysical factors such as elevation, slope, land use, and other data, as well as presence points from the GBIF portal.

The models obtained showed a considerable decrease in the distribution area across the three emphasis areas (El Cristal Experimental Station, Río Negro watershed, and Ecuadorian Chocó). This research aims to generate conservation strategies for the study area, such as establishing observation stations (with lookout towers) and biological corridors to enable species connectivity with different nearby natural areas and regions of the research area.