Ardea cocoi (Cuckoo heron) sighted in the mangroves during monitoring
Photography: Mary Madrid
Consorcio Manglares del Noroeste del Perú (CONMANOPE), winner of the Conserve Birds initiative, has been successfully monitoring birds in the mangrove ecosystem of Tumbes since April on a quarterly basis.l, as part of the progress of the project “Creation of a Conservation Area in the Mangroves of Tumbes”, which seeks to protect around 5,000 hectares of mangroves and reinforce the integrated management of the mangrove ecosystem in the Tumbes Coastal Marine Management Plan.
The assessment of the population status of key mangrove birds allows us to establish a baseline for the management and conservation of the ecosystem, guiding actions and prioritizing efforts based on the threats faced by these species and their habitats.
The mangrove ecosystem of Tumbes is a habitat of high ecological relevance, recognized for its biodiversity and its fundamental role in coastal protection and the livelihood of local communities; therefore, part of it has been recognized as a Ramsar site. On the other hand, this ecosystem is part of the Northwest Amotapes-Manglares Biosphere Reserve, underlining its importance at the national and international level for biodiversity and sustainability.
The proposal for the creation of the Tumbes Mangrove Conservation Area, led by the Regional Government of Tumbes in conjunction with the Consorcio Manglares del Noroeste del Peru, is a crucial step towards protect approximately 5,000 hectares of this ecosystem. This project will not only safeguard mangroves, but also strengthen the integrated management of natural resources. through the Tumbes Coastal Marine Management Plan, consolidating a conservation and sustainable use approach.
The mangroves of Tumbes are home to a rich diversity of species, including resident and migratory birds, many of which are threatened due to habitat loss. Protecting this ecosystem is essential to conserve these species and maintain the ecosystem services they provide to local communities, such as protection against natural disasters and support for fishing activities.. This joint conservation effort seeks to ensure the long-term preservation of this valuable ecosystem through efficient and collaborative management.
Bird monitoring in the Tumbes River, as seen from the drone
Photography: Jeison Dioses
Methodology
During the second quarter of 2024, CONMANOPE will carried out monitoring at nine strategic points of the mangrove ecosystem, selected based on habitat representativeness and accessibility. The routes were conducted both by boat and on foot, using the methodology of strip transects to record the birds observed.
Based on the field evaluations and the results obtained, four quarterly monitoring sectors were proposed, distributed throughout the Tumbes mangrove ecosystem, excluding the Los Manglares de Tumbes National Sanctuary:
Sector 1: Corrales sector to the mouth of La Chepa, Palo Santo Island.
Sector 2: Tumbes River, Cherres to the mouth, El Mulo sector.
Sector 3: Isla de los Pájaros - Puerto Pizarro, Jeli Trail.
Sector 4: Estero La Culebra, Playa El Venado and Estero La Tortuga.
These sectors offer a wide range of comprehensive view of bird populations and will allow the implementation of a monitoring protocol that will evaluate the population status of key species.
Results
As a result of this effort, it was possible to a total of 3,126 individuals belonging to 78 species were recorded, of which 13 correspond to the key species prioritized for the ecosystem. Among the most abundant species are Eudocimus albus (white corocoro) and Setophaga petechia (yellow warbler), while others, such as Pandion haliaetus (Osprey), were less frequent.
Eudocimus albus (White corocorus)
Photography: Mary Madrid
Impact
In order to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem of Tumbes and the protection of its valuable birds, the following actions were taken will continue monitoring, with the leadership of the Regional Government of Tumbes and CONMANOPE. .
This project not only seeks to inspire other organizations and communities to unite in the protection of birds and their habitats, but also generate tangible benefits for the area, such as improved quality of life for local communities and the conservation of natural resources. The creation of the Regional Conservation Area will strengthen the integrated management of the mangrove ecosystem, contributing to the environmental and economic stability of the entire Tumbes region. By joining forces, a sustainable future is ensured for both the birds and the people who depend on this valuable ecosystem.
Testimonials and commitments
Dely Ramos, part of the technical team indicated: “the information that is being generated with bird monitoring will allow us to develop conservation strategies for their habitats, propose environmental policies, promote bird tourism, educate and raise awareness among the population, for example, birds play a crucial role in ecosystems, such as seed dispersal, pollination, pest control and others. Therefore, we consider as a valuable tool these monitors.”
Join us
José Otivo Barreto
Responsible for the Conserva Aves project at CONMANOPE
otivobar@gmail.com
