Network for phenological monitoring of birds as bioindicators of the effects of Climate Change in the Tota Lake basin, Colombia

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  • December 9, 2024
  • 2 min read
Credit: Adaptation to the Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources in the Andes (AICCA) project

Summary

Although living beings have the ability to adapt to changes in their habitats, the speed with which variations in temperatures and precipitation occur due to climate change and variability exceeds their adaptation times with serious consequences for all organisms. These include: 1). Behavioural changes, 2). Anticipation in migratory phenology, 3). Alterations in geographic distribution and 4). Risk of extinction of species.

In the Tota Lake basin, around 168 species of birds have been identified, some endemic and migratory, which require wetland and paramo ecosystems to carry out their biological activities. At the same time, climate change scenarios suggest that for the period 2026-2050, rainfall in the basin, in the wet scenario, will increase between 15 and 40%, while in the dry scenario it will reduce between 10 and 20%. The average, maximum and minimum temperatures will increase in the order of 0.5 to 1°C, while climate variability will increase.

In the projected period, precipitation will show increases of more than 100% or reductions of 80%. These changes in the basin, together with the alteration of its wetlands and paramo, are affecting its bird populations and favouring the entry of other species from lower thermal zones. This increases uncertainty about the number of species that are in a vulnerable, critical or endangered state, as well as about changes in their distribution.

In response to this problem, it was decided to install a phenological network of birds in the basin. As an adaptation measure, the network will generate and provide information to understand the effects of climate change on birds. The network will make it possible to monitor the presence or absence of species to know, analyze and interrelate indicators of change and climate variability in their habitats. Similarly, it will provide useful information to make decisions regarding the protection and conservation of strategic areas in the basin.

In the evaluation of the most conducive areas for the sighting, monitoring and monitoring of birds in the basin, the exchange of knowledge and social participation were fundamental pillars. In addition, a process of capacity building and strengthening was promoted in the local community and tourist operators, so that they can observe and record birds, while obtaining various benefits. Among these, bird-watching tourism.

Overview

Location:
Implementation sites:
  • Single country
  • Multiple locations
Mountain region:

  • Cordillera de los Andes

Province:
  • Boyacá
Site locations:

  • Aquitania/ Vereda El Cajón, Sector Los Pozos, Rio Tobal y Sede Santa Inés de Corpoboyacá

    Aquitania / Vereda Vargas, Quebrada La Mugre

    Aquitania / Vereda Suse, Sector Desagüadero

    Cuitiva/ Vereda Boquerón

    Tota/ Vereda Guáquira

Solution scale:
Ecosystem type(s):
Other Ecosystem type(s):
  • wetlands, floating vegetation
Solution type(s):
Sector(s):
Climate impact(s) addressed:
Other climate impact(s) addressed:
  • Intense rainfall, Changes in rainfall patterns, Reduced availability of water, Changes in migration seasons due to the effects of climate change and variability
Climate impact time-scale(s):
Main benefit associated with the solution:
Co-benefit(s) associated with the solution implementation:
Implementation timeline:
  • 2021
Sendai targets:
SDGs:

Solution details

Main beneficiaries & outcomes

The main benefit of the phenological network of birds in the Tota Lake basin is its contribution to citizen science. It consolidates a methodological and practical proposal to strengthen knowledge of birds as bioindicators of climate change. Likewise, it generates basic information to understand the effects of climate change on birds and how they respond through adaptation processes, which is essential for making decisions regarding the protection and conservation of strategic areas for their biodiversity. This has resulted in additional co-benefits, such as support for the generation of leadership and entrepreneurship capabilities, and the development of skills in sustainable tourism as an alternative for local economic development.

The beneficiaries of this solution are community actors from the Tota Lake basin, who work as tour operators, nautical operators, hoteliers, tour guides, students, and leaders of the territory.

As an adaptation measure, the bird phenological network is widely accessible. An initial group was formed with the 20 phenological observers who completed the training process. They are the ones who record the data on the community monitoring platform, which is publicly accessible.

Although this measure has not yet reported its results, it is expected that over the next 10 years the phenological network will generate the necessary data to analyze the reproduction and migration periods of birds.

Planning and implementation

The planning and implementation process of the bird phenological network involved the following stages:

  1. Diagnosis of the areas selected for bird monitoring, taking into account the following criteria:
  • Background on bird monitoring and tracking (Zuluaga-Bonilla and Macana-García, 2016; Salamanca, 2020; eBird platform).
  • Actors present in the areas: producers, leaders, tourism operators, hoteliers, nautical operators and natural reserves of civil society.
  • Current status of protection and/or conservation areas, based on field recognition.
  • Easy access to the sites and observation of the selected bird species.

2. Selection of bird species as bioindicators of climate change (three resident and three migratory).

3. Identification of the actors to be trained as phenological observers (leaders, tourist operators, educational institutions and foundations).

4. Design of the monitoring protocol to operate the phenological network.

5. Preparation of materials for training phenological observers.

6. Proposal for the articulation of the phenological network, with strategies for sustainable tourism in the basin.

7. Training workshops for phenological observers based on a training program on the functional group of birds and associated ecosystems of the Tota Lake Basin.

8. Field trips to record species in the field notebook and on the web platform.

The AICCA Project led the planning and implementation processes of the solution. The Autonomous Corporation of Boyacá (Corpoboyacá) provided technical support for the training and education of operators. The beneficiary community participated in the process of monitoring and recording information on the functional group of birds, considering their ethology in relation to meteorological variables: precipitation, temperature and humidity, among others.

Finance

This adaptation measure is part of the Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in the Andes Project (AICCA). This project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and executed by the Consortium for Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN).

In Colombia, the project is being implemented jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Minambiente) and the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). During its implementation, Paola Suárez Orduz and Johanna Zuluaga collaborated.

The funding was provided as a donation and the cost of the adaptation measure was USD 5,200.

Main items Costs (COPS) Source of information
Personnel $          14.100.000 (AICCA, 2021)
Equipment $            140.000 (AICCA, 2021)
Materials and Supplies $            300.000 (AICCA, 2021)
Travel and Per Diem $        1.114.000 (AICCA, 2021)
Subtotal Direct Costs $      16.768.000 (AICCA, 2021)
Unforeseen 7% $      1.173.760 (AICCA, 2021)
Total (COPS) $      17.941.760 (AICCA, 2021)

 

Innovation

This adaptation measure was based on the development of citizen science, by recording bird ethology together with meteorological data. It also involved sustainability strategies for the tourism sector (avitourism), as an alternative to expand the work options of families living adjacent to the places of observation and data recording.

Performance evaluation

Since the measure is still in the implementation phase, an evaluation of the performance of the measure has not been carried out.

Long term project sustainability and maintenance

The measure is maintained through field trips to the seven areas established in the basin, for monitoring birds. However, in the Basin, records have been carried out, between inventories and censuses (presence/absence), since 2003, thanks to the work of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia (UPTC) and the Regional Autonomous Corporation of Boyacá (Corpoboyacá).

To date, an environmental monitoring evaluation has not been carried out and the beneficiary community (20 observers of the phenological bird network) together with Corpoboyacá, will assume the ownership and long-term maintenance costs of the phenological network.

Capacities for design and implementation

Knowledge

Scientific and community knowledge played a key role in the solution. Phenological observers and other community actors learned the technical terms and objectives of the phenological network. They also learned about its benefits for the Lake Tota basin, as well as about the six bioindicator species of climate change and their selection criteria.

During the training workshops, participants discussed the richness of Colombia’s birdlife and the potential for bird tourism in the basin. They identified the profile of the typical client and determined the most suitable type of client for the basin’s specific context. Additionally, they outlined the necessary infrastructure for birdwatching and the requirements that tourism service providers must meet to offer quality services.

Technology

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were essential in the design and implementation of this adaptation measure, especially in the identification of the seven observation and recording sites. Mobile applications eBird and Merlin were also very useful for recording information “in situ”.

Political / Legal

This measure is framed in Colombia’s national climate change policy, specifically, in the strategic line “Management and conservation of ecosystems and ecosystem services for low-carbon and climate-resilient development.” It is also in line with the National Adaptation Plan.

The measure is also aligned with Law 2068, “General Tourism Law” (2020), which establishes that the tourism sector has the responsibility of ensuring the protection of the country’s flora and fauna. Likewise, it is articulated with the standards of: Tourism Sustainability NTS – TS 002, Protection of biodiversity, Prevention of illicit trafficking of flora and fauna, and Support for protection and sustainable use programs.

Finally, the Phenological Network of Birds of the Lake Tota Basin was articulated with the Technical Board of the National Strategy for Bird Conservation (ENCA). This board is made up of the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute, the National Network of Bird Observers (RENOA), Audubon Americas and the Ministry of the Environment.

Institutional

Corpoboyacá supported the realization of the training workshops and the elaboration of the Bird Guide for the Lake Tota Basin. On the other hand, the community leaders: Paola Suárez Orduz (Legal Representative of the Misqua Operator, Specialized Tourism) and Johanna Zuluaga (Biologist, Ornithologist) supported the link with the community.

Socio-cultural

As part of the project’s governance and sustainability strategy, co-development spaces were established with local communities. These spaces facilitated the joint evaluation of local needs, focusing on bird monitoring as bioindicators of climate variability and change, the conservation of sensitive ecosystems within the basin, and the promotion of tourism and crafts as sustainable economic alternatives.

Outlook & Scalability

Barriers and adverse effects

The main barrier to this adaptation measure was the lack of equipment. To overcome it, the 20 phenological observers were provided with: Bird Guide of the Tota Lake Basin, binoculars, field agenda and web platform. The observers must go on field trips and participate in monthly workshops, in order to reinforce their technical knowledge on the functional group of birds as bioindicators of the effects of climate variability and change.

Transformation and future outlook

The compilation of phenological information on six birds in the basin will make it possible to identify the marked changes in climate and its effects on them. This will allow progress in research as well as making informed decisions about biodiversity and ecosystems.

On the other hand, as the measure brings the community closer to the problems of high mountain biodiversity, it will also promote changes in habits in favor of ecosystem conservation.

Potential for upscaling and replication

It is desirable that this adaptation measure be expanded, since it is expected that climate change will cause strong impacts worldwide on the phenology of the functional group of birds, especially in sensitive ecosystems. Its implementation will optimize knowledge of biodiversity, its phenology and its relationship with the ecosystem.

The measure aims to integrate, maintain and compile the different monitoring and follow-up efforts in the Tota Lake basin, so that they constitute a source of information and awareness for communities and decision makers.