Importancia de los humedales y la diversidad vegetal para la riqueza específica de aves en una zona esteparia del sudeste de España).

Abstract

Species richness is partially determined by primary productivity, which in steppe-lands is limited by water availability. Vascular plant diversity may also affect species richness. The present work examines the effect of a lagoon and plant richness on bird species richness in a steppe land from southeastern Spain. Species richness is larger in the lagoon, although the steppe bears more species included in the Redbook of Vertebrates of Andalusia (“threatened”). The richness of “threatened” species per Km2 is similar in both zones. The presence of the lagoon increases the total bird species richness in 18.4%, and threatened species richness in 15.4%, increasing Beta diversity. Vascular plant species richness does not affect bird species richness in the study area. Therefore, although wetlands in steppes may increase bird species richness, they have limited effects on vulnerable species, as these are usually steppe-land birds in south-eastern Spain.