Lowlands and Amotape-Huancabamba depression determine the richness patterns of bird community in Tumbesian region.

Abstract

Abstract: It is necessary to know how biodiversity is geographically distributed to design and allocate resources for the conservation and management of biodiversity, especially in threatened areas with high biodiversity and endemism rates. Tumbesian region has an extraordinary set of bird endemism nevertheless degradation and forest conversion has increase exponentially, and conservation strategies are still needed. In this study, we identified the factors that influence the diversity and endemism patterns of birds and discussed its implications for conservation. Occurrence points of bird species were obtained from official information sources. Richness was calculated for the whole region and each latitudinal, altitudinal and forest type. We report 803 bird species with a high endemism level (113 species) for the region, being the first reliable approximation of bird diversity since 90's. High diversity and endemism concentration between 2° and 6° south were demonstrated, which showed the influenced of the Amotape-Huancabamba depression in biodiversity patterns. Lowlands concentrated the greatest richness regarding total and endemic species in altitudinal bands. Endemism, threat, and distribution of reported species highlight the need for conservation strategies in the region.