The conservation of Polylepis adapted birds at Abra Malaga, Cusco, Peru
Gunnar Engblom, Gregorio Ferro Meza and Constantino Aucca Chutas
Introduction:
Conservation of fragmented forest patches with extremely threatened birds is difficult. At Abra Malaga in SE Peru in Cusco department there is a c. 10 ha Polylepis woodland at 4000-4300m and some adjacent smaller patches. Among the critically threatened and endangered birds there are White-browed Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura xenothorax, Royal Cinclodes Cinclodes aricomae and Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes alpinus. The locality is very close to the road at the pass on the Cusco-Quillabamba road. The few famlies who live here collect firewood at the woodland for their open fire-places, which at least previously were burning through-out the day, as meals were prepared for truckers passing through. The fire-places were also burning a couple of hours after sunset to provide heating. And the forest gradually disappeared. Abra Malaga is the best studied Polylepis site above 4000m in the Cusco department which contains the aforementioned species, Although, it has become severely degraded in the last 20 years, all the threatened species still occur here. This fact makes it a birdwatcher´s Mecca, as it is the only accessible site for birdwatchers to see these elusive species.
Polylepis woodland has been transformed into grassland for thousands of years.
In Cuzco and Apurímac departments we know of some 250 hectares of suitable habitat for the aforementioned species, which are Polylepis woodlands above 4000 m, within the the known range of these bird species (Runtacocha in Apurimac, Southern Cordillera Vilcabamba and C. Vilcanota in Cusco). Taking into account similar areas identified on satellite images and topographic maps, and from overflights, there may be a few additional areas. The quality of these forests are difficult to discern, and only field visits will give a clear answer. We estimate, from these data sources, an absolute maximum of some 750 ha of such woodlands.
Considering the concentration of endemic birds in this area (ICBP 1992, Fjeldså and Kessler 1996, Stattersfield et al 1998) , this is very alarming.
Firewood gathering is the most conspicuous, but not necessarily the most serious, threat to these woodlands. This is because some woodlands are managed by local people as a firewood resource The real problem is the incessant burning to create crazing for cattle, as this prevents forest regeneration.
Man started change the environment and burning highland Polylepis woodlands from as early as 10, 000 years ago as ways as hunting paleo-animals and creating grazing for wild herds (Hansen et al 1994). Recent pollen drillcore analysis in Ollantaytambo in Cusco department, show that the area was even more barren than today 3000 years ago, but recovered 500-1000 years ago because of the better landuse during the Incas (Chepstow-Lusty et al 1997). Polylepis is highly sensitive to fire - the principal method for clearing land. Much of existing paramo-type habitat with bunch grass below 4300m is not natural habitat (Laegaard 1992). In fact, much of the high Andes (4000-4300m) was probably covered by Polylepis woodland in ancient times (Ellenberg1958, Fjeldså& Kessler 1996).
The effect of burning from the 16th centuary onwards, must clearly have intensified the forest turnover to grassland, as cattle, goats and sheep were introduced. Shortly after the conquest hacienderos of Spanish orign held cattle in the highlands in the isolated highlands of Cusco and Apurimac departments, until the Agrarian revolution 1968, when land was turned over to cooperatives of peasants. Keeping cattle still prevail in these parts, but there is little knowledge about the effects of deforestation and burning in altering the local climatical conditions and provoking landslides and erosion, since levels of education are generally low.
Threatened birds of the high altitude Polylpis woodlands at Abra Malaga.
The species of concern are all obligate to the Polylepis zone above 4000 meter above sealevel. Below follows a review of their present situation:
Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes alpinus.
It is known from three different general areas Cordillera Blanca/Cordillera Huayhuash, Ancash department, Cusco/Apurimac mountain ranges and from two sites in La Paz department, Bolivia. Additionally, GE has a sight record from Rio Abiseo NP in North-Central Peru. Though this may seem like an ample distribution, the actual 1ocalities are only about a dozen sites. Only in the fragmented Polylepis woodlands in Cusco/Apurimac area is it relatively common.
It moves around in family groups of typically 2-3 birds together with other species and search the outer branches for anthropods. It seems to favour the upper regions in altitude in the Polylepis forests. The important factor may be dense canopies of Polylepis - though the trees may not at all be high (J. Fjeldså, pers comm). There are very few sightings below 4000m. While it’s overall world population is very difficult to assess exactly a rough estimate is 1000-4000 birds. Abra Malaga may have 20-30 birds. As far as we know Anairetes alpinus has never been found outside Polylepis forest, not even during snowstorms (Fjeldså 1991). Though in the Endangered category (Collar et al. 1992, Collar et al. 1994) A. alpinus is knocking on the door to the higher category of "Critically Threatened", as its habitat is rapidly decreasing and it is decidedly rare in North-central Peru and in Bolivia. Furthermore, within P.N Huascaran in Cordillera Blanca and in P. N. Rio Abiseo, where its habitat supposedly should be protected there are still grazing cattle even within the Polylepis forests and occasional provoked grass-fires, restricting the forests to steep and rocky places.
White-browed Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura xenothorax
This species is endemic to the Polylepis in the Cusco/Abancay mountain ranges and also usually above 4000m, but more plastic in its general distribution within the woodlands. It has been seen in small patches as small as 0.25ha in Cordillera Vilcabamba adjacent to larger patches, as well as in a very deteriorated Polylepis patch at Warmiwañuska pass on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, also in the Vilcabamba. This suggest that the species can hang on, even in tiny fragments of forest, especially if there are other forest patches nearby. L. xenothorax searches the bark and its crevices of the trunk and thicker branches of the Polylepis-trees. The flaky structure of the bark, makes it ideal for cover by various invertebrates. This is the main reason for Polylepis adaptation among birds. The most well-known such Polylepis specialist is Giant Conebill Oreomanes fraseri with distribution from Colombia to Argentina.
L. xenothorax also moves in family groups of typically 4-5 birds and will also join flocks. It seems easier to detect than A. alpinus and its population at Abra Malaga is estimated to 30-50 birds. As its range lies entirely within the Cuzco-Abancay area we estimate its population to probably around 1000 birds. As its habitat is rapidly being destroyed it should maintain its critically threatened status.
Royal Cinclodes Cinclodes aricomae
This elusive species only relatively recently rediscovered at Abra Malaga (Fjeldså et al 1987) is one of the most urgently in need for conservation meassures in Peru. The type specimen comes from the Aricoma pass in Puno, but there is no Polylepis to be found there, and no other recent reports from that area.
There is a recent sighting from north La Paz department (T. Valqui pers. com.), but it is difficult to establish the population size here. It is best known from the Cusco/Abancay mounains, with a population of c 40 pairs in the Runtacocha area. (Fjeldså & Kessler 1996)
Repetetive visits to Abra Malaga have shown that three pairs inhabit the main area which is most frequently visited by birdwatchers. Additional pairs are present at other nearby patches of more difficult access. GF will soon initiate a study at Abra Malaga, to clearify the activity range and other biological data for C. aricomae here. It is likely that C. aricomae needs fairly large territories as it flakes up large areas ov mosscover with its strong bill to get hold of various invertebrates. Thus an average territory could well be around 4 ha. Considering this, the total known population would be around 60 pairs. Taking into account the forementioned yet unexplored areas, as well as possible populations in Puno and La Paz, the world population would be at most 200 pairs.
C. aricomae is also likely to be the most sensative of these species as the mosscover of rocks, trunks and branches within the forest rapidly disappears when the canopy is opened through logging or areas are burnt, since the sun will dry out the moss essential in its feeding habit.
Being a ground feeding bird it is forced to temporarily descend to lower elevations during periods of snow, which means that it could disperse between highlands This fact indicates that Cinclodes aricomae may be able to disperse to other patches, which would secure gene-flow between populations.
To our knowledge nobody has seen Royal Cinclodes at Abra Malaga during 1999. We will kindly receive reports. More intense searches will be needed as they are sometimes difficult to detect.
Is Abra Malaga worth saving?
Overall for the three key-species, Abra Malaga only has very limited importance for their survival. If the battle for conservation is lost here, there are other areas which may be more suited for conservation meassures. On the other hand one may argue that the situation is so critical, that any population should be considered as very important, and if the battle indeed would be lost, the experience gained will avoid mistakes and pitfalls for future efforts.
The big advantage at Abra Malaga is its relatively easy access both for the conservationists and visiting birders. This will secure regular monitoring and through future visitor fees or visitor donations secure financiation of the project in the long run.Abra Malaga is also the best studied site for the species above, and there is a large amount of reference material published. (Collar et al 1992, Parker and O´Neil 1980, Fjeldså et al 1987, )
Conservation is not easy!
From the peasant´s point of view it appears very strange that someone would come from so far away to be concerned about a couple of dull birds, however rare they may be. Why should we care about these birds? We don’t need them. We are allright anyway, but we do need to continue using firewood. The peasant will furthermore be certain that the gringo is making a lot of money, when trying to persuade the community not to cut the forest down. The peasant will naturally be suspicious. Any successful project need to take into account the needs of the community and commence a dialogue. Useful tactics include describing effects of erosion, describing temporal droughts in deforested areas due to the lack of the forest´s sponge effect and depicting the future situation for the generation to come without any forest at all, because this generation was too greedy and did not reforest
When NBC initially supported the project we had three ideas of to protect the woodland and decrease the existing exploition pressure.
Donations/fees from visiting birders would be a way to finance the continued work. Because of some initial hostility from the local community, lack of funds, and some institutional and organisational difficulties the project has been severely delayed.
The delay has brought some good benfits. We have learnt that it would have been a rupture to tradional Andean values giving away fuel and stoves for free. As the project lacked funds this was not possible anyway. Instead we started with the reforestation part, as Asociación INKA kindly donated Polylepis plantlings to the project. Small salaries of 3 dollars were paid to the community participants. This worked very well and over 70 persons came to work on one occation.
We have now come to the point when we have gained confidence and trust. The logging has not stopped yet, so we need to implement the rest of the strategy - replace the use of trees and fence the remaining forest. The advantage at this point that we have a good model how to implement these changes, through communal working sessions, which in effect is a traditional way of working together called "ayni" by the Incas - ancestors to the people of Cusco. Rather than giving away kerosene stoves, they will be sold after next reforestation outing for about a third of its price, which will be more or less one day´s labour (3 US$). Some kerosene lamps and heaters will also be purchased and sold at a discounted price. The kerosene can be distributed at a central deposit. The system of subsidised kerosene as an alternative to deforestation has successfully been used in Nepal along trekking routes. Forthcoming aynis will also include reforestation, fencing forest and construction of a plant-school.
Further studies
During the initial fieldwork two additional Polylepis woodlands of 2-4 ha each were found at Keuñapata and Keuñakassa in a side valley. There may be additional patches nearby and more surveys are needed. There are several very good patches further south, but we doubt there is any gene-flow between these areas and Abra Malaga. Gregorio Ferro will study Royal Cinclodes at Abra Malaga. Its yearly life-cycle is virtually unknown. Does it move into neighbouring areas? Is there contact with populations at Keuñapata and Keuñakassa?
Birdwatching at Abra Malaga
As recent visitors to Abra Malaga may have observed lately, the logging continues and the forest is in poor state. However, all the specialities can still be found and therefor birdwatchers will continue to come to the locality. We originally decided that entrance fees to the forest would finance the project. However, legal constraints in charging fees have prevented our establishing a fund for Polylepis bird conservation. We have recently created an NGO - Ecosistemas Andinos - that will focus on Polylepis conservation, and urge all future (and past) visitors to Abra Málaga to donate US$10 (please contact [email protected] for details how to best donate). The money raised will subsidise kerosene and will be invested in the area to improve conservation, infrastructure for visitors and socio-economic projects that benefit the community.
Acknowledgements:
We thank our colleagues, Wily Palomino and Efrain Samochuallpa, who assisted our fieldwork. The participation of Asociación para la Conservación Selva Sur (ACSS) and Asociación INKA was invaluable. The project was funded by NBC, the Swedish Ornithological Society (SOF) and Club 300 of Sweden, and via funds made available through ACSS and visitor donations. Jon Fjeldså made many constructive comments on a first draft of the manuscript.
References:
Chepstow-Lusty A.J., K.D. Bennett, J. Fjeldså, A. Kendall, W. Galiano, and A. Tupayachi Herrera, 1997. When two worlds collide: Comparing human impact on fragile ecosystems before and after the Inca. Tawantinsuyo 3, 127-134.
Collar N. J., M.J. Crosby, and Stattersfield A.J., 1994. Birds to watch 2. BirdLife Conservation Series no. 4. BirdLife International. Cambridge, U.K.
Collar N. J., L. P. Gonzaga, N. Krabbe, A. Madroño Nieto, L. G. Naranjo, T. A. Parker, and Wege, D. C., 1992 Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. Cambridge, U.K.: International Council for Bird Preservation.
Ellenberg H., 1958. Wald oder Steppe? Die Natürlische Pflanzendecke der Anden Perus. Umschau 1958: 645-681.
Fjeldså J., 1991. The activity of birds during snow-storms in highlevel woodlands in Peru. Bull. Brit. Orn . Club 110, 26-31.
Fjeldså J., and M. Kessler, 1996. Conserving the biological diversity of Polylepis Woodlands of the Highlands of Peru and Bolivia. A contribution to sustainable resource management in the Andes. NORDECO. Copenhagen.
Fjeldså J., N. Krabbe, and T.A. Parker 1987. Rediscovery of Cinclodes excelsior aricomae and notes on the nominate race. Bull. Brit. Orn . Club 107, 112-114
Hansen, B.C.S., G.O. Seltzer, and H.E. Wright Jr, 1994. Late Quternary vegetational change in the central Peruvian Andes, Palaeogeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 109, 263-285.
ICBP, 1992. Putting biodiversity on the map. Priorities for global conservation. ICBP. Cambridge. U.K.
Laegaard S., 1992. Influence of fire in the grass páramo vegetation of Ecuador. Pp. 151-170 in H. Balslev and J. L. Luteyn, eds. Paramo. London: Academic Press.
Parker, T. A. and J. P. O'Neil, 1980. Notes on little known birds of the upper Urubamba valley, Southern Peru. Auk. 97: 167-176.
Stattersfield A.J., M.J. Crosby, A.J. Long, and D.C. Wege, 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the World. Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation. BirdLife conservation series no.7. Cambridge. U.K.
This draft will occur in Cotinga in a abbreviated form in early 2001.