Description: This article discusses the annual variation of abundance and composition in forest bird assemblages on Navarino Island, Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile. Abstract: The structure and dynamics of avian communities in the temperate forests of southern South America have been generally studied during the breeding season (November - March), and reports about seasonal variations and migratory behavior of species are almost lacking. This study examined intra-annual variations on a monthly basis in bird species composition and abundance in the world's southernmost forested ecosystems, found in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile (55°S). Combining data obtained through point-count surveys, mist-netting, and checklist methods, the authors recorded a total of 34 bird species belonging to 20 families. Eighteen of these species were Passeriformes, and the most abundant year-round resident species were Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) and Patagonian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus). The most abundant seasonal migrants species were White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps) and Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus). Point-count and mist-netting methods showed a reduction in species richness and abundance during winter, with one third of the bird assemblage absent. This proportion was lower than that documented for more northern Nothofagus forests. Additionally, the authors' data provided no evidence that intra-annual patterns of ...

Description: This article discusses the autecology of the fío-fío. Abstract: As the most diverse and abundant terrestrial vertebrates in the Cape Horn Archipelago, birds potentially play key roles in the ecology of subantarctic ecosystems. However, the lack of long-term ornithological studies in southern South America has previously hindered the identification of relevant aspects of the autecology of even the most common species. One abundant species in the austral summer is the fío-fío's ecology in the CHBR by determining: a) longevity and site fidelity, b) arrival-departure dates, c) abundance of adults and juveniles, d) diet and e) morphology. A total 827 fío-fíos were banded during the study period. Of the 67 recaptures, it was possible to determine that fío-fíos may live at least up to 7 years. Fío-fíos arrived as early as 28 October and left as late as 15 April with juveniles fledging in January. In the austral archipelago, the fío-fío's diet consisted of 10 invertebrate orders and at least 5 plant species. Males had significantly longer tails and wings than females, while females were significantly heavier in the pre-fledging season (Oct-Dec). This study provides new information on the autecology of fío-fío in the world's southernmost forests.

Description: This article discusses Senda Darwin Biological Station (SDBS). SDBS is a field research center immersed in the rural landscape of northern Chiloé island (42°S), where remnant patches of the original evergreen forests coexist with open pastures, secondary successional shrublands, Sphagnum bogs, Eucalyptus plantations and other anthropogenic cover types, constituting an agricultural frontier similar to other regions in Chile and Latin America. Since 1994, the authors have conducted long-term research on selected species of plants (e.g., Pilgerodendron uviferum) and animals (e.g., Aphrastura spinicauda, Dromiciops gliroides) that are considered threatened, poorly known or important for their ecological functions in local ecosystems, and on ecosystems of regional and global relevance (e.g., Sphagnum bogs, North Patagonian and Valdivian rain forests). Research has assessed the responses of species and ecosystems to anthropogenic land-use change, climate change, and the impact of management. During this period, more than 100 scientific publications in national and international journals, and 30 theses (graduate and undergraduate) have been produced by scientists and students associated with SDBS. Because of the authors' understanding of the key role that humans play in ecological processes at this agricultural frontier, since the establishment of SDBS the authors have been committed to creative research on the communication ...