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Cover Photo: An adult and a juvenile Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (Phegornis mitchellii) perched in one of the bogs. Arne Lesterhuis, Asociación Armonía

Why are Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers (Phegornis mitchellii) so rare in the high Andes of South America? Are these resident shorebirds facing threats, or do they naturally occur in low densities? To answer these questions, a comprehensive population census was conducted in late 2023 to assess the conservation status of Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers across their range in Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. This study was carried out with the support and close collaboration of Manomet.

To address these questions in Bolivia, Asociación Armonía conducted the country’s first-ever census of the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover from November 21 to December 15, 2023. This ambitious effort involved three teams working together to survey 98 high Andean bogs across four critical regions in Bolivia: the highlands of La Paz, Sajama National Park and the La Paz Altiplano, the southwestern Altiplano of Potosí, and the southeastern Altiplano of Potosí. We visited bogs situated between 2,900 and 5,100 meters above sea level in search of this species surveying at least 106 kilometers on foot.

Despite this extensive effort, we found only 10 Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers at two previously known sites. Unfortunately, no new locations for this elusive shorebird were discovered in Bolivia. From the 10 six were adults and four juveniles. In Sajama National Park, three individuals were sighted (two adults and one juvenile), while in the southwestern Altiplano of Potosí, seven individuals were observed (four adults and three juveniles). No individuals were found in the highlands of La Paz nor in the southeastern Altiplano of Potosi.

In Sajama, the birds were seen foraging around hot water springs with patches of bog amid gravel. In the Potosí region, the individuals were observed on a 40-degree slope with cold water dripping, surrounded by vegetation entirely composed of peat bogs. Additionally, an adult was spotted perched on a rock 20 meters away from the peat bogs along a rocky slope after being disturbed. In this work, 13 species of shorebirds were documented, including 10 residents and three long-distance migrants.

So, what’s happening? What factors might be influencing the presence of this shorebird? During the census, we collected data on disturbances. We found evidence of human presence at 82% of the 98 bogs visited, either through nearby settlements or livestock grazing. Livestock, primarily llamas (54%), were observed at 74% of the sites. Additionally, 19% of the bogs had been converted to agricultural use, and 3% were impacted by nearby mining activities. We also noted that many of the bogs were unusually dry, which could affect the availability of food for the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. In fact, nearly half (47%) of the bogs were found to be in dry conditions.

Tjalle Boorsma, Armonía’s Conservation Program Director and participant in the census comments – “The significant presence of humans and livestock in the remote and seemingly desolate high Andean peat bogs may be contributing to the scarcity of the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover in the area. Almost all high Andean lakes in the southwestern region of Potosí have been subjected to mining activities for the extraction of lithium, borax, and other minerals. Lithium extraction, especially around the Uyuni salt flats, has led to extensive soil alteration due to heavy machinery use. Mining operations affect groundwater levels, as groundwater is often pumped for mineral extraction or to clean mining processes, resulting in dry conditions in approximately 47% of the peat bogs visited. It is noteworthy that the year 2023 experienced a strong El Niño event, exacerbating dry conditions throughout Bolivia”.

Although the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover is considered rare, many seemingly suitable peat bogs did not host the species during the census. Notably, 27% of the surveyed sites are within protected areas, yet they still face significant human pressures. Without comprehensive water regulations and sustainable management practices, these peat bogs in Bolivia remain under severe threat. This could help explain the low numbers of the species observed in the 2023 census.

As we await the results from the other countries, we will gain a clearer understanding of the conservation status of this resident shorebird, which is evidently facing more threats than previously recognized. These efforts are crucial for identifying the conservation needs and actions required to protect this species. Stay tuned for more updates!

 

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