Abstract

VASQUEZ-MUNOZ, Jorge Luis  and  CASTANO-VILLA, Gabriel Jaime. IDENTIFICATION OF PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS OF BIRDS IN THE URBAN AREA OF MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA. Bol. Cient. Mus. Hist. Nat. Univ. Caldas [online]. 2008, vol.12, n.1, pp.51-61. ISSN 0123-3068.

The city of Medellin sits on the inter-Andean valley in the Central Cordillera of Colombia; its accelerated and unsystematic growth has led to the loss of a major part of the bird species that were originally present in the region. This study intends to take action regarding the loss of bird biodiversity by prioritizing green conservation areas within the urban area, and by evaluating the city's hill network: El Volador, El Picacho, Santo Domingo, Nutibara, La Asomadera, Salvador and Pan de Azúcar. For said purpose, a matrix with four ecological variables (i.e., population distribution, trophic guild, habitat and feeding zone) was constructed, as well as an anthropogenic threat index. The matrix served to determine that El Volador and El Picacho are the sites that should be given the highest priority, due to their richness in species and intricate population structures. Lastly, some guidelines for the management of the bird populations were proposed and a baseline for future monitoring of the hills' functional diversity was established.

Keywords : Urban bird populations; urban parks; conservation; territorial zoning plan.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )