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Effect of seasonal water level decrease on a sensitive bird assemblage in a Mediterranean wetland

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Abstract

In wetlands embedded in reclaimed lands, water level in channels is actively managed. Here, we evaluated the effect of a seasonal water level decrease on an assemblage of five water-obligated bird species (Tachybaptus ruficollis, Anas platyrhynchos, Rallus aquaticus, Gallinula chloropus, Fulica atra), at the level of their density, diversity index and consuming biomass in a Mediterranean remnant wetland during two breeding seasons (2004 and 2005). Following the water level dwindling in wetland channels, total density decreased inducing a progressively significant drop in diversity index and consuming biomass from late March to June. Median values of density were significantly higher when water level was higher than 100 cm in channels. Consuming biomass showed a decrease of one order of magnitude from March to June. When the water depth in channels was lower than 100 cm, the reed beds, rush beds and flooded meadows surrounding them dried out reducing the habitat suitability for the water-obligate species. This induced a local population decline in this assemblage of sensitive sedentary species. Despite the water persisting in channels until late spring, it could not represent a suitable condition for water-obligate bird species, also if the water level was apparently high (i.e., 100 cm or less).

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Acknowledgments

This study has been performed within the activities of the Environmental Service, Province of Rome, that manages ‘Torre Flavia wetland’ protected area. We would like to thank and acknowledge specialized rangers in the study area (E. De Angelis, C. Galimberti, N. Trucchia). A special thanks to Giuseppe M. Carpaneto (Department of Biology, University of Rome III) for the critical revision of the first draft of the manuscript.

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  1. via degli Aldobrandini, 6, 00121, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Causarano

  2. Nature Conservation Office, Environmental Service, Province of Rome, via Tiburtina, 691, 00159, Rome, Italy

    Corrado Battisti

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  1. Francesca Causarano
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  2. Corrado Battisti
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Correspondence to Corrado Battisti.

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Causarano, F., Battisti, C. Effect of seasonal water level decrease on a sensitive bird assemblage in a Mediterranean wetland. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 20, 211–218 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-009-0045-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-009-0045-9

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