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Spatial Heterogeneity Created by Burrowing Crabs Affects Human Impact on Migratory Shorebirds

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Abstract

We show that, as previously described, there are conflicts between areas used by people and shorebirds. However, we propose that burrowing organisms add complexity to the shorebird–human interaction that should be taken into account for management and conservation. This is because SW Atlantic mudflats are dominated by high densities (up to 60 crabs m−2) of a strong bioturbator, the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata (=Chasmagnathus granulatus). These crabs affect the habitat use and foraging performance of shorebird species. The two-banded plover Charadrius falklandicus feed more in burrow areas whereas the yellowlegs Tringa spp. and the white-rumped sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis tend to avoid burrow areas. We evaluated the effect of human recreational activities on shorebirds, taking into account shorebird–crab interaction, during shorebird migratory periods (November to April) of 2001, 2002, and 2003. This study was performed at the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (37° 40′ S, Argentina). Results showed that people only rarely used the extensive soft bottom intertidals dominated by burrowing assemblages of N. granulata because the soft sediments make walking difficult. Therefore, human impact is reduced for the two-banded plover. However, for several migratory shorebirds that also avoid burrow areas, these areas act as suboptimal alternative areas when human impact is important in their preferred habitats. When human activity is low, shorebirds remain foraging in the area but they decrease their feeding intakes. The extensions of burrow areas differ among estuaries and are likely to generate between-estuaries differences as stopover sites for shorebirds. Also, other species that form large burrowing assemblages can have a similar impact on shorebird–human interactions.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this project was provided by the International Foundation for Science (IFS, Sweden, # A3058-1 to F. B.), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Fundación Antorchas, FONDECyT, CONICET (Argentina, to OI).

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  1. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), and Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 573 Correo Central, B7600WAG, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Florencia Botto, Agustina Mendez-Casariego, Macarena Valiñas & Oscar Iribarne

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  1. Florencia Botto
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  2. Agustina Mendez-Casariego
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  3. Macarena Valiñas
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  4. Oscar Iribarne
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Correspondence to Florencia Botto.

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Botto, F., Mendez-Casariego, A., Valiñas, M. et al. Spatial Heterogeneity Created by Burrowing Crabs Affects Human Impact on Migratory Shorebirds. Estuaries and Coasts: J CERF 31, 134–143 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-007-9002-y

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