Waterbird Surveys
Versión en español
Due to the closure of DU´s Latin America and Caribbean Program in
August 2007, the LAC Waterbird Surveys Database has been transferred to
the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN) (http://www.avianknowledge.net)
database of Cornell University´s Lab of Ornithology in the United
States. To access this database, and the complete survey data for
DU's LAC Waterbird Surveys, click here.
In
addition, all of the data collected between 1999 and 2007 has been
extracted from the database and preserved in various tables and
documents:
Introduction
A review of the literature and historical data indicated that the Caribbean, Central America, and at least the northern portion of South America were of great importance to migratory waterfowl from North America. Therefore, DU developed the Waterbird Surveys Initiative as the core of the LAC Program.
From 1999-2007, more than 300 colleagues from 13 different Caribbean, Central American, and northern South American countries collected a significant amount of important data. This information has greatly improved knowledge of the distribution and chronology of migratory waterfowl in the region. DU provided training, worked towards common standards and methodologies and expanded the number of wetlands and countries included in the surveys. The information gained from eight years of survey data helped identify several very important wetlands for waterbirds, and develop management actions, such as the designation of new Ramsar sites, the establishment of protected areas, and the development of management needs.