Composition of the aquatic birdlife of Saco da Fazenda, Itajaí-SC

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20113513141

Abstract

Saco da Fazenda estuary, despite the impact caused by the flow of effluent domestic and industrial sewage coming from
Itajaí-Açu River, is the shelter of a great diversity of birds. The knowledge of the composition of bird life becomes crucial in the characterization
of this environment, since in threatened ecosystems, as estuaries are, we may identify alterations in biodiversity and abundance
due to the influence of areas adjacent to the ecosystem. From July 2006 to April 2007 we did biweekly censuses in the assembly of birds
in Saco da Fazenda. 29 species of aquatic birds, distributed in 25 genres and 13 families, being 11 of constant occurrence (37.9%), six
accessory (20.6%) and 12 species of casual presence (41.3%). Grouping analysis generated through data evaluating monthly average
abundance showed a “300” distance level, resulting in the formation of four distinct groups. Group I: P. brasilianus and H. himantopus,
which presented the highest relative abundance. Group II: C. albus, E. thula and E. caerulea, and also G. chloropus, characterized by
the abrupt reduction of units at spring end and summer beginning. A. Brasiliensis, V. chilensis and L. dominicanus integrate group III,
organized due to abundances relatively next to the last two species. Group IV was composed by H. palliatus and R. niger, species with
a low contribution for abundance.