Contribution of agroecosystems to the conservation of bird diversity in the department of Caldas

In tropical regions, the contributions and limitations of agroecosystems have been identified with respect to bird diversity conservation. It has been suggested that agroecosystems can have different conservation values, according to the structural complexity of the vegetation (e.g., higher number of vegetation strata, cultivated species diversity, among others). Therefore, agroecosystems, especially those with a smaller area (e.g., small-holdings), could be crucial for developing bird conservation strategies. In order to establish the contribution of different agroecosystem types to bird conservation in the department of Caldas (Colombia), we compared bird richness, abundance, and similarity associated to three types of habitats: (1) type I agroecosystems (mono-cropping with bare soil), (2) type II agroecosystems (mixed-cropping, grazing pastures with weeds and dispersed trees, and plantations with understory), and (3) secondary forests. Type II agroecosystems did not differ in bird richness and similarity compared to secondary forests, and species with high sensitivity to disturbance were registered (Zentrygon frenata, Phaetornis guy, Phaetornis syrmatophorus, Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger and Sphenopsis frontalis). Additionally, we registered a species of global conservation interest (Chloropipo flavicapilla) and four migratory species (Catharus ustulatus, Parkesia noveboracensis, Setophaga fusca and Setophaga striata) in this type of agroecosystem. Thus, type II agroecosystem habitats are not completely negative on avifauna, and they could serve an important role within conservation strategies in rural landscapes.