The "Arenales de Progreso" marsh, located in the Ciénegas y Manglares de la Costa Norte de Yucatán State Reserve, is a site frequented by our photographic collaborators. The photos of banded flamingos suggest that this site may be playing a crucial role as "preferred habitat" for at least part of this population of flamingos born in 2010. In this article, we explore the impact of this finding and what it means for the conservation and future of these majestic birds.
For: David Alonzo-Parra [dalonzo@pedroyelena.org], E. Serrano-Alcocer [eserrano@pedroyelena.org], E. Yepez. [eyepez@pedroyelena.org], A. Schober-Laferl. 2024. Fundación Pedro y Elena Hernández. Disponible en: www.flamencoyucatan.org
Photo 1. Banded flamingos sighted in Progreso, Yucatan. Photo by Angelica Schober.
One afternoon, nature photographer Angelica Schober sent us a photo of banded flamingos she had taken at the site known as Arenales in Progreso, Yucatan. Upon reviewing the images, we decided to consult the FlamencoLab Platform database (www.flamencoyucatan.org), and discovered that both Flamingos belong to the 2010 cohort. This finding led us to a more exhaustive review. Although the amount of data is limited, we were surprised to observe that, of the 26 sightings recorded between 2022 and 2024, 50% (13) correspond to Flamingos born in 2010.
This high percentage (50%) of 2010-born Flamingos at the Arenales site in Progreso is even more significant when considering that it refers to only 6 individuals, in contrast to the other 50% of sightings, involving 18 individuals from 8 different cohorts (1999, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019) (see Graph 1). In addition, the Flamingo banded with the code HRTA has been sighted on 5 occasions at this site, suggesting that the Arenales de Progreso marshes could be a preferred habitat for at least part of the 2010 cohort.
Based on the Flamingo ring codes photographed by Isaac Sosa, Miguel Díaz, Iván Clemente and Angelica Schober, as well as the records of the staff of the Fundación Pedro y Elena Hernández, A.C. (FPEH) in the Arenales de Progreso marsh, we can infer that this habitat is used by Flamingos with an average age of 11 years, including individuals between 4 and 24 years old.
Graph 1. Number of sightings and individuals of Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) banded and recorded from 2022-2024 in the marshes of Arenales de Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico (UTM 16Q X: 226864 E and Y: 2355325 N). The difference between the number of sightings and individuals is due to the same band code being observed on more than one date.
Analyzing the records of the 9 cohorts in Arenales de Progreso during the period 2022-2024, we observed that out of a total of 26 sightings, 13 (50%) occurred in the rainy season (June-October). Of these, 6 records occurred in July, during the egg-laying and incubation phase of the breeding season, suggesting that this wetland could serve as a feeding habitat for breeding individuals of the nesting colony established in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve in 2023.
Also, during the "dry" season (March-May), 7 sightings were recorded, with April being the month with the highest number (5 sightings). This period coincides with the beginning of the reproductive period in the nest building phase and the laying and incubation of eggs. This could indicate that the flamingos also use this habitat to feed and return to the breeding grounds.
In the "Nortes" season (November-February), a significant number of sightings were recorded (6), with February standing out with 5 records. This season corresponds to the non-breeding period (September-March), suggesting that the Arenales de Progreso marshes are used during all three climatic seasons.
Examining the records of the 2010 cohort in the Arenales de Progreso marshes, a pattern similar to that described above is observed. Sightings in this cohort are mainly concentrated in the rainy season, especially in July (3 records), and in the dry season, with a notable presence in April (3 records). The "Nortes" season also shows sightings, although in smaller numbers, with 2 records in February. It is relevant to note that this cohort is not recorded in the months of December, January, May, June and August. This pattern is consistent with the general behavior of all the cohorts observed, which prefer this habitat during the seasons and periods mentioned.
What does preferred habitat mean from a biologist's point of view?
In simple terms, a preferred habitat is one that is used more intensively by one part of a population compared to other potential habitats. Habitat selection" is a process that involves both innate (genetic) and learned decisions, which result in a preference for certain resources and habitat characteristics (Montenegro J. and Acosta A., 2008).
Habitat preference is crucial in biology, ecology, management and conservation of biodiversity, as it helps us to identify the resources and conditions necessary for the survival, reproduction and survival of a species. This topic becomes especially relevant in the face of rapid climatic changes that, according to predictions, will directly or indirectly affect resources and habitat conditions, modifying the spatial distribution, abundance and probability of local extinction of species (Montenegro J. and Acosta A., 2008).
This is what we know about the Flamingos banded in 2010:
The 2010 cohort was born in a wetland classified as a "Laguna salina" or salt pond, located in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, 171 km from the Arenales area of Progreso, Yucatán. It is estimated that approximately 2,700 chicks were hatched, of which 355 (13%) were banded in September of the same year. In addition, sightings of this cohort have been recorded at the salt ponds of the Industria Salinera in Las Coloradas and at the site known as "Salamandra", which is part of the Reserva Estatal Ciénegas y Manglares de la Costa Norte de Yucatán (RCMY). They have also been observed in the salt ponds of Pilares, in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Sites where the 2010 cohort rings have been reported: 1) Pilares, Celestún, 2) Arenales, Progreso, 3) Salamandra, Telchac Pto, 4) Charca Salinera, Ría Lagartos. Location of the sites and the Natural Protected Areas in which they are located (5).
In reviewing the hydrological parameters of the sites where sightings have been recorded from the 2010 cohort, we note that all coincide in being hypersaline habitats (>40 ppm). In Arenales de Progreso, the site known as Salamandra and Charca de Pilares in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, the average salinities during the dry season (March-May) are 57, 54 and 204 parts per thousand, respectively (see Graph 2). This suggests that at least one group of individuals in this cohort has a preference for resources in hypersaline habitats (>40 ppm).
The preferential use of hypersaline habitats by Flamingos is well documented (Arengo and Baldassarre, 1998; Nager et al., 1996). In their studies conducted in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Arengo and Baldassarre (1998) found that 48% of the flamingos were found in habitats with salinities between 145 and 210 ppm, where food was located mainly in the water column. In contrast, 52% of the Flamingos were observed in habitats with salinities between 42 and 77 ppm, where food was primarily located in the sediment. Interestingly, the authors also reported that, in areas with intermediate salinities, between 85 and 135 ppm, no food was available to flamingos.
This pattern could explain the absence of sightings of the 2010 cohort in estuarine lagoons with salinity of 10-40 ppm, such as the Celestún Coastal Lagoon. In addition, the fact that the birth site of this cohort in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve is also a hypersaline habitat suggests a marked preference for specific resources in hypersaline habitats, such as those of Arenales de Progreso, which has an average salinity of 56.67 ppm in the dry season. This behavior could be influenced by both innate (genetic) and learned decisions in habitat selection.
Figure 2. Average salinity and water level during the dry season (March-May) of the sites where the 2010 cohort rings have been reported.
What makes the Arenales marsh special for the 2010 cohort Flamingos?
Currently, we have limited information on the Arenales marsh, located in Progreso, Yucatán, with UTM 16Q coordinates X: 226864 E and Y: 2355325 N. In the period from February to June 2024, we recorded an average abundance of 107 Flamingos (n=5) at the site. Although Arenales is located near the city of Progreso, which implies higher levels of light and noise pollution compared to more distant habitats, the site presents particular characteristics that could explain its preference by the 2010 cohort.
The marsh has a varied micro-topography, with dry areas and areas with water levels below 40 cm depth (see Figure 2). This variability is influenced by several factors, such as freshwater runoff from the nearby Petenes, laminar flow inputs from the upper parts of the forest, and the connection to seawater through the Progreso canoe runway. These conditions may be favoring the productivity of the site, providing nutrients that make Arenales a preferred habitat for the 2010 cohort flamingos.
Despite the high disturbance and possible contamination of the site, current data suggest that Arenales de Progreso could be an important area during the breeding stage of flamingos. However, further studies are required to accurately assess the available food resources and confirm the ecological importance of the site.
The Arenales de Progreso area, with an area of 1,550 ha, is part of the Reserva Estatal de Ciénegas y Manglares de la Costa Norte de Yucatán (RECMCNY). According to the Yucatán Coastal Land Management Program (POETCY), the area is divided into two Environmental Management Units (UGA). The western part, of 310 ha, is classified as "Minimal Use" allowing only activities such as artisanal aquaculture, beekeeping, traditional use of flora and fauna, conservation, subsistence fishing, and low-impact tourism (e.g., bird watching and photography). In contrast, the eastern part of 1,240 ha is classified as "High Restriction", allowing only the construction of palapas and trails, but restricting the construction of hotels. Given the ecological importance of the site, the appropriateness of these infrastructures should be reconsidered.
The data provided by Angelica, Isaac, Mike and Ivan offer valuable clues about habitat use by flamingos. Despite high disturbance, Arenales may offer microhabitats that satisfy relevant biological needs for flamingos, such as protection, shelter, foraging and resting during specific periods.
Photo 2. Aerial photograph of the Arenales site, Progreso.
Literature cited.
Arengo, F., y Baldassarre, G. A. (1998). Potential Food Availability and Flamingo Use of Commercial Salt Impoundments in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Colonial Waterbirds, 21(2), 211. doi:10.2307/1521908
Montenegro, J. y Acosta A. (2008). Programa innovador para evaluar uso y preferencia de hábitat. Universitas Scientiarum. [En línea] www.javeriana.edu.co/universitas_scientiarum
Nager, R. G., Johnson, A. R., Boy, V., Rendon-Martos, M., Calderon, J., & Cézilly, F. (1996). Temporal and spatial variation in dispersal in the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus). Oecologia, 107(2), 204–211. doi:10.1007/bf00327904
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