Grasslands bird and biodiversity conservation aligned with livestock production

Grasslands bird and biodiversity conservation aligned with livestock production. The Southern Cone Grasslands comprise one of the richest grazing and agricultural areas in the world, and consequently have been heavily altered by livestock and crop production, such that the natural features of the landscape have substantially changed. Currently, habitat loss through afforestation, agriculture and grazing are the main threats to the birds of this biome. A total of 480 bird species occur in the grasslands of Rio Grande do Sul, including several globally threatened species such as Saffron-cowled Blackbird (Xanthopsar flavus), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris), Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea) and Black-and-white Monjita (Xolmis dominicanus). The few protected areas created in the Southern Cone Grasslands lack effective implementation and management. The poor state of the protected areas system, plus the ever increasing threats across the landscape, lead to an urgent need for a grassland conservation plan to be developed with the productive sector. In 2004, the four BirdLife International Partners who share the Southern Cone Grasslands created the Alianza del Pastizal. This innovative initiative aims to improve ecosystem management in priority grasslands areas through sustainable and low-impact uses that maintain and enhance the biodiversity value of the grasslands ecosystems, and improve the economic and social development of landowners and rural communities. In 2007, the Alianza undertook a pilot survey in three different Apropampa ranches in the Bage and Lavras do Sul regions of Rio Grande do Sul to obtain a preliminary understanding of how the current cattle-raising techniques affect the bird and vegetation communities. A total of 144 species of birds were recorded in the three properties, including five globally threatened species. The vegetation surveys found a total of 106 native grasses and herbs in open areas, and an absence of the exotic invasive anonni grass (Eragrotis plana), which combined indicate the high quality of the natural grasslands. Some of the management techniques employed on the ranches led to overgrazing and trampling, jeopardizing the growth of tall grasses, which are important for a number of bird species. In addition, cattle trampling in marshy areas dominated by the sedge (Eryngium pandanifolium) can cause serious damage to the vegetation and consequently habitat modification and loss. In general, the Bage and Lavras do Sul regions held good quality natural grasslands and important populations of globally and regionally threatened birds. By making a few changes to the current management regimes, ranchers could make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation in the region.