Fragmentación de bosques y uso del hábitat por rinocríptidos

Abstract

Life-history attributes could be used to predict species responses to habitat fragmentation or sensitivity. We compared the incidence and sensitivity to fragmentation of four understory birds (Rhinocryptidae family). Rhinocryptids inhabit deciduous forests of Central Chile and our study was conduced in a landscape mosaic of pine (Pinus radiata) plantations and native forest fragments. Sensitivity was positively and strongly correlated with rhinocryptid incidence. Understory structure was the main factor that predicted rhinocryptid presence and abundance. The least sensitive species, Andean (Scytalopus magellanicus fuscus) and the Ochre-flanked Tapaculo (Eugralla paradoxa), were positively associated to dead pine branches and negatively to forest fragment size. Rhinocryptids reduced their abundance in mature forest, but they were willing to cross between different habitat types. However, one of the most sensitive species, Chestnut-throated Huet-Huet (Pteroptochos castaneus), did not move from forest fragments to pine with poor understory when we displayed playback trials. Overall, rhinocryptid species are affected by fragmentation depending of their life-history attributes. The less sensitive species profited from habitat and landscape transformations. We conclude that rhinocryptids could persist in this landscape, as changes in habitat conditions do not become deleterious, such as understory structure.