Ortalis Columbiana population density in a sub-andean forest fragment in Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Abstract

The conservation of endemic species with high ecological requirements or low population densities is a priority to diagnose their status. For such a diagnosis, it is necessary to determine their abundance and trends in the framework of a rigorous monitoring program. The Cauca River valley has been highly transformed and currently there are only forest remnants like the one in the natural reserve Bosque de Yotoco (RNBY) where Ortalis columbiana, an endemic species from Colombia, can be found. The species density has not been documented; to determine its conservation status in the RNBY, the population density was estimated using the distance sampling method with 32 line transects and more than 200 km of sampling effort. The population density was 19,2 ind/km2 (95% confidence interval: 9.8-37.6) while the mean group size was 1,56 individuals (95%CI: 1,4 – 1,8), which is relatively higher than the estimations done for other Cracides species, only referents to compare. These figures suggest a population of around 100 individuals just in the Reserve, which could be insufficient for a viable population. It is important to consider the species presence and abundance in the adjacent agroecosystems to get to conclusions about its population viability.