BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES BRAZILIAN ACTION TO SAVE CRITICAL ATLANTIC FORESTS
Cambridge, UK, 12 June, 2001 - BirdLife International today welcomed the Brazilian President's recent decision to designate the Ecological Station of Murici, Alagoas, north-east Brazil, because of its importance for globally threatened birds, including the critically endangered Alagoas Foliage-gleaner Philydor novaesi and Alagoas Antwren Myrmotherula snowi, both known only from Murici [1, 2, 3].
"BirdLife International welcomes the Brazilian President's decision to recognise the global importance of the remnant Atlantic forests of Murici.", said BirdLife International Director and Chief Executive, Dr Michael Rands. "Designation of the Murici Ecological Station is a first but vital step towards the conservation of these critically important forests".
"Murici is a national treasure because it contains two species on the brink of extinction, the critically endangered Alagoas Foliage-gleaner and Alagoas Antwren, both of which depend solely on this globally threatened Atlantic forest", said Jaqueline Goerck, Head of the BirdLife International Brazil Programme. "The loss of the forest at this site would likely result in the global extinction of these two species".
The globally threatened Atlantic forest ecosystem around Murici is exceptionally important for biodiversity conservation: with 13 globally threatened bird species known to occur here, they represent undoubtedly one of the highest bird conservation priorities in South America.
Using funds secured from the 1999 British Birdwatching Fair, the BirdLife International Brazil Programme, in collaboration with Sociedade Nordestina de Ecologia (an NGO already active at Murici) has carried out a number of feasibility studies on conserving the area's forest and have been working closely with IBAMA, the Brazilian environment agency, to facilitate the designation of the Murici Ecological Station.
"British birdwatchers will be delighted to hear this excellent news", said British Birdwatching Fair Organiser, Martin Davies.
Murici is the type locality for several bird species described as new to science during the 1980s, namely Alagoas Foliage-gleaner, Orange-bellied Antwren Terenura sicki, Alagoas Antwren and Alagoas Tyrannulet Phylloscartes ceciliae, all of which are globally threatened. Nine other globally threatened birds occur here, namely: Golden-tailed Parrotlet Touit surda, Plain Spinetail Synallaxis infuscata, Scalloped Antbird Myrmeciza ruficauda, Black-hooded Berryeater Carpornis melanocephala, Buff-throated Purpletuft Iodopleura pipra, White-winged Cotinga Xipholena atropurpurea, Seven-coloured Tanager Tangara fastuosa, Forbes' Blackbird Curaeus forbesi and Yellow-faced Siskin Carduelis yarrellii.
The fragmented forest patches at Murici are restricted to the mountaintops and are surrounded by two major land uses: sugarcane plantations and pastureland. The sugarcane industry is in decline, and consequently much previously cultivated land is currently being turned over to cattle pasture. With no fencing around forest patches, there is increasing pressure from cattle degrading the forest understorey.
The highly attractive Seven-coloured Tanager, the Yellow-faced Siskin (both globally threatened) and local subspecies of Bearded Bellbird Procnias averano averano continue to be captured for the illegal cage-bird trade. In addition, remaining forest patches continue to be exploited through the cutting of construction and fuel wood and hunting.
Due to recent changes in the law, IBAMA is able to accept assistance in the integrated management of protected areas. Such a relationship is being established between IBAMA and the BirdLife Brazil Programme for EEM to help ensure the implementation of this important conservation unit. Studies conducted during 2000 by BirdLife/Sociedade Nordestina de Ecologia identified two additional tracts of forest (1,640 and 540 ha) adjacent to the proposed EEM. The BirdLife Brazil Programme is also looking towards the protection of these additional patches, perhaps through the establishment of Private Reserves, to enhance the viability and integrity of the whole forest ecosystem.
Footnotes:
1. The decision by Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso to designate the Ecological Station of Murici was announced on 29th May, 2001.
2. BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organisations working in more than 100 countries who, together, are the leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting bird life.
3. Murici Ecological Station is 6,116 hectares and encompasses most of the remaining forests in the Alagoas region.
For further information please contact Michael Szabo or David Wege on +44 (0) 1223 277 318.