POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ENDANGERED BIRDS IN PATAGONIA ARGENTINA AS A TOOL FOR PUBLIC POLICIES

Abstract

The loss of biodiversity highlights the use of technologies to contribute the decision-making. Species Distribution Models of birds were select based on threat categories. The threatened species were: Chloephaga picta (Upland Geese), Chloephaga policephala (Ashyheaded Goose), Cyanoliseus patagonus (Burrowing Parrot), Speculanas specularis (Spectacled Duck) and Vultur gryphus (Andean Condor); endangered: Pluvianellus sociales (Magellanic Plover); and critically endangered: Podiceps gallardoi (Hooded Grebe).The MaxEnt software was used to model species niches. The results showed that the average of the area under curve (AUC) values of the test data was higher than 0.8, which indicates models with excellent performances. It would be important to incorporate other functional groups and strengthen public policies that collaborate in the protection of biodiversity. These actions would complement the existing lines.