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Identification of priority habitats for conservation of the Sierra Madre sparrow Xenospiza baileyi in Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2006

Leonardo Cabrera-García
Affiliation:
Current address: Department of Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada Laboratorio de Biogeografía, Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM, Circuito Exterior s/n., Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
José Alejandro Velázquez Montes
Affiliation:
Unidad Académica de Geografía, Instituto de Geografía, UNAM, Aquiles Serdán 382, Morelia Michoacán 58000, México
Martha Elena Escamilla Weinmann
Affiliation:
Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad en México, Mexico
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Abstract

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The Sierra Madre sparrow Xenospiza baileyi, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is endemic to Mexico. The subalpine bunch grasslands of the Transverse Volcanic Belt in the south of the Valley of Mexico are the last remaining habitat of this species. We conducted a detailed survey for the Sierra Madre sparrow using the point count method, and then described the species' habitat using a phytosociological approach. The two sets of information were pooled into a single analytical framework to identify priority habitats for the species. Eight vegetation communities were distinguished. The Festuca lugens-Muhlenbergia quadridentata and Stipa ichu bunch grassland communities had the highest densities of the Sierra Madre sparrow. Intensive burning and grazing activities and agricultural encroachment have restricted sparrow occupancy. Landscape analysis helped to delineate core grassland areas for the species and grassland strips and islands that could potentially act as habitat corridors. From the information generated in this study, which was shared with the local communities, we are establishing a participatory socio-ecological investigation for conservation of the Sierra Madre sparrow's habitat.

Type
Articles
Copyright
© 2006 Fauna & Flora International

Footnotes

This paper contains supplementary material that can only be found online at http://journals.cambridge.org
Supplementary material: PDF

Cabrera-Garcia Supplementary Material

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