2010

Amphibians are important indicators of environmental health and play multiple functional roles in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Amphibian populations have declined worldwide and this trend has been attributed to a variety of causes, including chytridiomycosis – an infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachotrytium dendrobatidis (Bd) – and exposure to chemical contaminants. In Argentina, agricultural activities have increased considerably… Read Project SummaryChytridiomycosis and malformations in amphibians of agroecosystems in the Argentine Pampean region

The hooded grebe (Podiceps gallardoi), discovered in 1974, has experienced a precipitous decline over the past 40 years, prompting its status to be revised from species of least concern to endangered. Little is known about the reproductive biology of the species, and this study proposed to locate and follow nesting colonies in southern Argentina; determine factors that affect breeding success;… Read Project SummaryFactors that affect population viability of hooded grebes

The Pampas deer is endemic to South America and has experienced a drastic reduction of its historical range. Since the 1990s, multiple techniques have been employed to improve livestock productivity in the region, leading to increased fragmentation of habitat types and the displacement of native plant species with exotics. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of these land use changes on the population dynamics and habitat use of pampas deer.Read Project SummaryConservation of the Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) in the semi-arid pasturelands of San Luis Province, Argentina: Relationships to land use practices

Endangered Peruvian diving petrels were once common on coastal islands off of Peru and Chile, but species introductions have reduced populations throughout their former range. For example, over 100,000 pairs were extirpated on a single Chilean island after the introduction of foxes in the mid-1900s. Meanwhile, the current total population estimates range within the tens of thousands and breeding occurs… Read Project SummaryMeasuring Peruvian diving petrel (Pelecanoides garnotii) breeding densities prior to European rabbit eradication on islands from Coquimbo, Chile