Abstract: The Lafken Mapu Lahual Coastal Marine Protected Area of Multiple Uses (Lafken Mapu Lahual), Osorno coast, southern Chile, is one of the first protected areas created in Chile during 2006, but only in 2019 its Management Plan was presented. This study provides information on its marine mammal species to be used in future biodiversity monitoring plans. The sighted mammals were recorded and counted through 18 navigation tracks and one observation point in the 2014-2015 austral breeding season. Five species were recorded systematically (one whale species, two dolphin species, one marine otter species and a one sea lion species). Two of them (Lontra felina and Balaenoptera musculus) are classified by the IUCN in the conservation category corresponding to Endangered. Laken Mapu Lahual is an important area for the species of whales that use it for their migratory route to the south of Chile.

ABSTRACT This study describes the assemblage and habitat use of birds in the Trumao wetland and its seasonal variation according to the hydrological regime during spring 2017 and summer 2018 (not flooded) and winters 2017 and 2018 (flooded). Overall, 29 species of birds were recorded with a total abundance of 2,341 individuals. The total number of accumulated species observed for the flooded and non-flooded period corresponded to 16 and 22 species, respectively, with the Brown hooded Gull [Chroicocephalus maculipennis (Lichtenstein, 1823)] being the dominant species. The qualitative Sorensen similarity index between the flooding and non-flooding periods of the wetland was 73.2%, while the quantitative Bray-Curtis similarity was 32.65%. When comparing the flooded winter period (4 m depth) and the non-flooded summer period (1 m depth), the diversity presented statistically significant differences, but not the abundance. The SIMPER analysis showed that between the flooded winter period and the non-flooded summer period, the species that showed a greater percentage of dissimilarity in their abundance between these seasons were the Brown hooded Gull and the Slender-billed Parakeet [Enicognathus leptorhynchus (King,1831)]. The use of habitat was highly variable, both seasonally and spatially. Our results indicate that birds occupy wetlands according to seasonal fluctuations and according to the habitat that is available; however, abundance is not affected by hydrological changes. It is essential to continue carrying out more research in the wetland to determine the nesting, feeding and reproduction of the birds in the different habitats used to generate its protection and conservation measures in the Trumao wetland.

RESUMEN En este estudio se describe el ensamble de aves del humedal de Trumao y su variación estacional según régimen hidrológico durante primavera 2017 y verano 2018 (no inundado) e inviernos 2017 y 2018 (inundado) y se evalúa el tipo de hábitat. Se registraron 29 especies de aves con una abundancia total de 2,341 individuos. El número total de especies acumuladas observadas para el período inundado y no inundado correspondió a 16 y 22 especies, respectivamente, siendo Chroicocephalus maculipennis (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Gaviota cáhuil) la especie dominante durante el período de estudio. El índice de similitud de Sorensen entre los períodos de inundación y no inundación del humedal fue de 73.2%, mientras que la similitud de Bray-Curtis resultó en un 32.65%. Al compararse el periodo invernal inundado (4 m profundidad) y el periodo estival no inundado (1 m profundidad), el índice de diversidad registró diferencias estadísticamente significativas, en cambio, la abundancia no presentó diferencias significativas. El análisis SIMPER arrojó que entre el periodo invernal inundado y el periodo estival no inundado las especies que mostraron un mayor porcentaje de disimilitud en su abundancia entre estas temporadas fueron la Gaviota cáhuil y Loro choroy [Enicognathus leptorhynchus (King, 1831)]. El uso de hábitat en el humedal de Trumao, por parte de las aves, fue altamente variable, tanto estacional como espacialmente, resultado esperable para este tipo de ecosistemas. Finalmente, nuestros resultados nos indican que las aves ocupan los humedales según fluctuaciones estacionales y según el hábitat que se encuentre disponible, sin embargo, la abundancia no se ve afectada por los cambios hidrológicos. Con estos resultados es fundamental seguir realizando más investigaciones en el humedal para determinar el uso (nidificación, alimentación, reproducción) que realizan las aves en los distintos hábitats para de esta manera generar medidas de protección y conservación para la gestión del humedal de Trumao.

ABSTRACT Although planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, their assemblages have not been used to determine the environmental health of these ecosystems. Studies of ecosystem environmental health have been based on other taxonomic groups; we propose that diatom genera diversity represents a viable alternative for this purpose. Thus, our aim was to determine the alpha and beta diversities of the planktonic diatom assemblage present in Caulín Bay, Chiloé Island (41° 49’S; 73° 38’W), southern Chile, during the austral winter and spring of the years 2012 and 2014. Caulín Bay is an important site for aquatic bird observation and conservation, hunting is prohibited on a national scale and, internationally, the site has been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Our results indicate different diversities between sampling stations, but not between the years studied. In total, we recorded 53 diatom genera, of which the most abundant were Coscinodiscus (21.99%) and Cocconeis (16.23%). The study area presented high genera diversity (i.e., H’(log2) >3.74) and beta diversity indicated that Caulín presents a low level of heterogeneity and is a low genera replacement environment. Consequently, we infer that Caulín Bay is a productive and environmentally stable ecosystem. This leads us to conclude that diatom diversity determination is a viable alternative to establish aquatic ecosystem environmental health and we recommend that future conservation strategies be established for Caulín Bay.

RESUMEN Si bien las diatomeas planctónicas son uno de los grupos taxonómicos más abundantes de los humedales costeros, sus ensambles no se han utilizado para determinar el estado ambiental de estos ecosistemas. Aunque se han realizado estudios de la salud ambiental de un ecosistema utilizando otros grupos taxonómicos, nosotros proponemos que la diversidad de géneros de diatomeas representa una alternativa viable. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las diversidades alfa y beta del ensamble de diatomeas planctónicas presentes en la Bahía de Caulín, Isla de Chiloé (41° 49’S; 73° 38’O), sur de Chile, durante las temporadas de invierno y primavera austral de los años 2012 y 2014. Bahía Caulín es un sitio importante para la observación y conservación de aves acuáticas por lo que a nivel nacional se ha prohibido la caza y a nivel internacional fue decretada un Área Importante para la Conservación de Aves, AICA. Los resultados de este estudio indicaron diferencias en las diversidades entre las estaciones de muestreo, pero no entre los años estudiados. En total, se identificaron 53 géneros de diatomeas; los más abundantes fueron Coscinodiscus (21,99%) y Cocconeis (16,23%). El área de estudio presentó una alta diversidad de géneros (i.e., H’(log2) >3,74) y la diversidad beta indicó que Caulín presentó bajo nivel de heterogeneidad y es un entorno con bajo reemplazo de géneros. Así, inferimos que Bahía Caulín es un ecosistema productivo y ambientalmente estable, por lo cual concluimos que la determinación de las diversidades de diatomeas es una alternativa viable para establecer la salud ambiental de los ecosistemas acuáticos y recomendamos establecer futuras estrategias de conservación para Bahía Caulín.

Abstract: Marine mammals (MM) are key components of marine ecosystems, becoming important predators in them. Its monitoring allows to know the state of its populations and the health of the ecosystem. For this reason, the diversity, abundance and spatial and temporal distribution of MM in the center-south of Chile will be determined. Scientific observers recorded seasonal presence of MM over a year from land and sea platforms (winter-2016 to autumn-2017). Four species of MM were identified with a total of ~12,000 sightings. The most frequent species was the sea lion (LMC, ~99%), then the Chilean dolphin (DCh), and isolated records of southern right whale and blue whale. The greatest sightings of the LMC and larger cetaceans were recorded in summer, while for DCh, it was in autumn. In Cobquecura, the greatest sightings of LMC were registered (>80%). The larger cetaceans were sighted at >1,500 m from the coast and the DCh at <500 m, around the Itata river. At sea, the greatest sightings of LMC were recorded in spring, during the period of fishing activity, as was the record of more sea lions dead. Although the number of MM identified here is not greater than that described for other parts of Chile, should to be consider that three of these species are classified under threat. In addition, here there is one of the most important groups of DCh and LMC in the central-southern Chile, exposed to important operational interactions with the fisheries. This makes necessary to promptly establish coastal protection measures to ensure the conservation of these marine mammals in central-southern Chile and with it, throughout the Chilean coast.

Resumen: Los mamíferos marinos (MM) son componentes clave de los ecosistemas marinos constituyéndose en importantes depredadores en ellos. Su monitoreo permite conocer el estado de sus poblaciones y la salud del ecosistema. Por esta razón, se determinará la diversidad, abundancia y distribución espacial y temporal de MM del centro-sur de Chile. Observadores científicos registraron presencia estacional de MM a lo largo de un año desde plataformas en tierra y mar (invierno-2016 a otoño-2017). Se identificaron 4 especies de MM con un total de ~12.000 avistamientos. La especie más frecuente fue el león marino común (LMC, ~99%), luego el delfín chileno (DCh) y registros aislados de ballena franca austral y ballena azul. Los mayores avistamientos del LMC y cetáceos mayores se registraron en verano, mientras que para DCh, fue en otoño. En Cobquecura se concentraron los mayores avistamientos de LMC (>80%). Los cetáceos mayores se avistaron a >1.500 m de la costa y los DCh a <500 m, entorno al río Itata. En el mar, los mayores avistamientos de LMC se registraron en primavera, durante el periodo de actividad pesquera, al igual que el mayor registro de leones marinos muertos. Pese a que la cantidad de MM identificados aquí, no es mayor a lo descrito para otras partes de Chile, se debe considerar que tres de estas especies están clasificadas bajo algún criterio de amenaza. Además, existe una de las más importantes agrupaciones de DCh y LMC del centro-sur de Chile, expuestas a importantes interacciones operacionales con la pesquería. Esto hace necesario establecer con prontitud medidas de protección del litoral para asegurar la conservación de estos mamíferos marinos en el centro-sur de Chile y con ello, en toda la costa chilena.

Abstract: The imperial cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) is one of the most abundant cormorant species in the Chilean channels and fjords. Although its reproductive and non-reproductive distributions have been studied, works on its diet are inexistent. This paper describes the diet and determines the dominance and diversity of the prey consumed during the winter periods of 2011 and 2014 in Caulín Bay, Chiloé, southern Chile. A total of 73 pellets were collected (30 in 2011 and 43 in 2014). Prey were identified and classified into three categories: fishes (53.57%), cephalopods (39.29%) and crustaceans (7.14%). When prey consumption was analyzed according to their distribution in the water column, we observed statistically significant differences in a preference of benthic demersal over pelagic prey.

The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is an endemic aquatic bird of South America. In Chile, it is found in both highland lagoons as well as in marine wetlands. Nevertheless, dietary studies in marine environments are scarce. This work characterized the interannual variation in the winter diet of flamingos found in the marine wetland of Bahía Caulín, southern Chile. To this end, we determined the size of prey items consumed between June and September of the 2011, 2014 and 2015. A total of 157 feces were analyzed (77 feces in 2011 and 80 feces between 2014 and 2015). The diet of Chilean flamingo during 2011 was carnivorous and was formed by only three preys, the foraminifera Ammonia beccarii, the copepod Harpacticus sp. as well as polychaetes. During 2014-2015 its diet was omnivorous, and consisted of 15 categories of prey items, among which the consumption of algae and plant fibers was stressed. Regarding the sizes of prey consumed by flamingo, the diameter of the foraminifera oscillated between 100 and 900 µm with predominance of organisms between 400 and 600 µm. The width of Harpacticus sp. consumed ranged from 160 to 260 µm with a predominance of organisms between 200 and 220 µm. The width of consumed Parawaldeckia kidderi ranged between 140 and 800 µm with predominance for organisms between 140 and 400 µm. The width of Monocorophium insidiosum consumed oscillated between 80 and 500 µm with predominance for organisms between 80 and 400 µm. The Chilean flamingo would be a partially selective predator whose selection of prey would be given by the morphostructural restrictions of the peak of this bird.

El flamenco chileno (Phoenicopterus chilensis) es un ave acuática endémica de América del Sur. En Chile habita tanto en lagunas altiplánicas como en humedales marinos. Sin embargo, los estudios dietarios en ambientes marinos son escasos. En este trabajo se caracterizó la variación interanual en la dieta invernal del flamenco en el humedal marino de Bahía Caulín, sur de Chile. Para ello, se determinó el tamaño de las presas entre junio a septiembre del 2011, 2014 y 2015. Se analizó un total de 157 heces (77 heces en 2011 y 80 heces entre 2014 y 2015). La dieta del flamenco chileno durante el 2011 fue carnívora y estuvo conformada sólo por tres presas: el foraminífero Ammonia beccarii, el copépodo Harpacticus sp. y poliquetos. Durante 2014-2015 su dieta fue omnívora, incluyendo la presencia de 15 categorías de presas, entre las que destacó el consumo de algas y fibras vegetales. En lo que respecta a los tamaños de las presas consumidas por el flamenco, el diámetro de los foraminíferos osciló entre los 100 y 900 µm con predominio de organismos entre los 400 y 600 µm. El ancho de Harpacticus sp. consumidos osciló entre los 160 y 260 µm con predominio para los organismos entre los 200 y 220 µm. El ancho de Parawaldeckia kidderi consumidos osciló entre los 140 y 800 µm con predominio para los organismos entre los 140 y 400 µm. El ancho de Monocorophium insidiosum consumidos osciló entre los 80 y 500 µm con predominio para los organismos entre los 80 y 400 µm. El flamenco chileno sería un depredador parcialmente selectivo cuya selección de presas estaría dada por las restricciones morfoestructurales del pico de esta ave.

The Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck (Tachyeres pteneres) is the only marine anatid founded along the coastline of Chile and Argentina, from Valdivia to Tierra del Fuego. There is little published information about the quantitative diet of this species. Previously, a single study of its breeding diet was reported for Guapiquilán Island, Chiloé, southern Chile. We studied T. pteneres' winter diet during 2011 and 2012 in Bahía Caulín, Chiloé, southern Chile. We found that statistically Cancridae crabs (100 and 100%, respectively) and Majidae (96.0-71.4%, respectively) were the most common items in the diet of this species.

Local ecological knowledge and academic knowledge are considered two parallel and different ways of knowing nature. In this study we provide the first antecedents of local ecological knowledge about the Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) in the marine wetland of Bahía Caulín (Chiloé, southern Chile) and its integration with the academic knowledge about the species. Local ecological knowledge was recorded between November and December 2014 through semistructured interviews with three key informants, while academic knowledge was based on the review of bibliographic data. When integrating the local ecological knowledge with the academic one regarding the presence of the Flamenco Austral, there was a great coincidence between both for the residence period in Caulín; while for the abundance both knowledges were temporarily complemented. The integration of knowledge was scarce for migration and diet, due to the limited scientific information developed for these aspects. Regarding the conservation of the Chilean Flamingo, both local ecological knowledge and academic knowledge consider that it should be under a measure of protection. It is essential that both knowledges be better integrated in order to conserve this bird and its environment.

El conocimiento ecológico local y el conocimiento académico se consideran dos maneras paralelas y diferentes de conocer la naturaleza. En este estudio se abordan los primeros antecedentes del conocimiento ecológico local sobre el Flamenco Austral (Phoenicopterus chilensis) en el humedal marino de Bahía Caulín (Chiloé, sur de Chile) y su integración con el conocimiento académico sobre la especie. El conocimiento ecológico local se registró entre noviembre y diciembre de 2014 mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a tres informantes clave, mientras que el conocimiento académico se basó en la revisión de datos bibliográficos. Al integrar el conocimiento ecológico local con el académico respecto a la presencia del Flamenco Austral, se registró una gran coincidencia entre ambos para el periodo de estadía en Caulín; mientras que para la abundancia ambos conocimientos se complementaron temporalmente. La integración de conocimiento fue escasa en cuanto a la migración y la dieta, debido a la poca información científica desarrollada para estos aspectos. Respecto a la conservación del Flamenco Austral, tanto el conocimiento ecológico local como el académico consideran que la especie debería estar bajo una medida de protección. Es esencial que ambos conocimientos se integren de mejor manera para conservar a esta ave y su ambiente.

BACKGROUND: The geographical distribution of the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) includes the southern-central Neotropics. Despite its wide distribution, currently there is no dietary information on its southern distribution range. From June to September 2011, we quantified the diet and prey availability of the Chilean flamingo in the marine wetland of Caulín (41°48' S, 73°37' W), southern Chile. RESULTS: The prey availability related to both plankton and benthos were four species of copepods, four polychaetes, one foraminifera, and two amphipods. The diet of the Chilean flamingo was composed of foraminifera (Ammonia beccarii), copepods (Harpacticus sp.) and polychaetes. The most abundant prey items from feces of flamingos were Ammonia beccarii and Harpacticus sp. The diameter of A. beccarii consumed by flamingos ranged between 400 and 900 µm, while its width varied between 100 and 300 µm. The width of Harpacticus sp. consumed ranged between 160 and 260 µm. The similarity between flamingo diet and prey availability was 0.553. The diversity of prey organisms in the benthos was higher than that observed from plankton and feces of birds. A. beccarii was preferred over other prey consumed by flamingos. This preference is not related to the size of Harpacticus sp. but to their ability to swim and escape from flamingos. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary similarity of the Chilean flamingo versus the availability of prey in the environment (plankton and benthos) was 55%, indicating that the Chilean flamingo is a partially selective predator.

We describe the synanthropic behavior of Lontra felina along its geographic distribution. The marine otter used fishing ports infrastructure for shelter and food. It forages on the remains of fish discarded by fishermen. Identified threats to the conservation of this species in synanthropy include incidental mortality in fisheries and persecution by domestic animals. The opportunities are creating niche food and shelter, which favor the permanence and population growth. Finally, we identify the important variables to consider in future studies on synanthropy of this marine mammal in the socio-ecological systems.

Through a literature review, we determined the current state of knowledge on urban ecology in the larges cities of southern Chile: Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. This review revealed the scarcity of studies on urban ecology where urbanization is increasing considerably, unkowning the impacts that this phenomenon may have on their ecosystems. Puerto Montt is the city with greater increase in urban population and simultaneously, the city with the lowest number and diversity of studies. The main impacts generated by the process of urbanization on the landscape are watershed pollution, air pollution, loss of native biodiversity and increasing exotic species. Suggestions are given to increase and conserve local biodiversity in the urban landscapes of southern Chile, as well as the lines of research needed to be done.

Mediante una revisión bibliográfica se determinó el estado actual del conocimiento sobre la ecología urbana en las grandes ciudades del sur de Chile: Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno, Puerto Montt y Punta Arenas. Esta revisión reveló la escasez de estudios sobre ecología urbana en donde los procesos de urbanización se incrementan considerablemente, desconociéndose los impactos que este fenómeno pueda generar sobre sus ecosistemas. Puerto Montt es la ciudad con mayor incremento poblacional urbano y, a la vez, la ciudad con menor cantidad y diversidad de estudios realizados. Los principales impactos generados por el proceso de urbanización sobre el paisaje son la contaminación de cuencas hidrográficas, contaminación atmosférica, pérdida de biodiversidad nativa y aumento de especies exóticas. Se entregan recomendaciones para aumentar y conservar la biodiversidad local dentro de los paisajes urbanos del sur de Chile, así como también se señalan las líneas de investigación necesarias por realizar.

During january 2011 we recorded morphometric and behavioral data of Cinclodes antarcticus in Gonzalo island, Diego Ramirez, southern Chile. The bill length was significantly higher in males compared to females. C. antarcticus is a commensal bird of seabird and marine mammal colonies of the Patagonia.

Durante enero 2011 se registraron datos morfométricos y conductuales de Cinclodes antarcticus en isla Gonzalo, Diego Ramírez, sur de Chile. La longitud del pico fue significativamente mayor en machos respecto de hembras. C. antarcticus es un ave comensalista de colonias reproductivas de aves y mamíferos marinos de la Patagonia austral.

We evaluated the composition and seasonal variation in the diversity of an aquatic bird assemblage related to a mussel farm in southern Chile. Observations were carried out during spring 2008, and the summer, autumn and winter of 2009. Neotropic cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus, followed by kelp gull Larus dominicanus and imperial cormorant P. atriceps were the dominant species. We identified five dietary groups, of which piscivorous birds had the greatest representation. Finally, we discuss the need to evaluate the potential impacts generated by the intensive mussel farming on various components of the marine ecosystem in southern Chile.

This study evaluates the influence of tidal cycle, time-of-day and season on the diversity of a bird assemblage in the marine wetland of Lenca Bay in Reloncaví Sound, southern Chile. The study was carried out during four seasons, spring 2006, summer, fall and winter 2007. During all the study period, it was recorded 2502 birds belonging to 35 species and 19 families. The family Laridae had the highest species richness. Three species were the most relevant according to a relative abundance index for the assemblage of studied birds, Larus dominicanus, Larus maculipennis and Cygnus melancorypha. The highest number of bird species and abundance was recorded during summer. The diversity values were high in low tide, due to the entry of birds belonging to the "agroecosystems" and systems of shrub vegetation adjacent to marine wetland, terrestrial species as Milvago chimango, Vanellus chilensis, Theristicus melanopis, Polyborus plancus and passerine birds. The diversity values obtained between the three daily period of observation shows no significant differences. Finally we identified some human activities that threaten the conservation of birds in Reloncaví Sound.

Este estudio evalúa la influencia del ciclo mareal, la hora del día y la estación climática sobre la diversidad del ensamble de aves presentes en el humedal marino de Bahía Lenca en el Seno de Reloncaví, sur de Chile. Las observaciones del estudio fueron realizadas durante las estaciones de un ciclo anual, primavera 2006, verano, otoño e invierno 2007. Durante todo el periodo de estudio, se registraron 2502 aves pertenecientes a 35 especies y 19 familias. La familia Laridae presentó la mayor riqueza de especies. Tres especies fueron las más relevantes de acuerdo a un índice de importancia relativa para el ensamble de aves observado: Larus dominicanus, Larus maculipennis y Cygnus melancorypha. Durante el verano se registró el mayor número de especies y abundancia de aves. Los valores de diversidad fueron significativamente mayores en los momentos de marea baja, debido al ingreso de aves pertenecientes a los "agroecosistemas" y sistemas de vegetación arbustiva colindantes al humedal marino, como las especies terrestres Milvago chimango, Vanellus chilensis, Theristicus melanopis, Polyborus plancus y aves Passeriformes. Los valores de diversidad obtenidos entre los tres horarios de observación no presentaron diferencias significativas, durante todo el período de estudio. Finalmente fueron identificadas algunas acciones humanas que amenazan la conservación de aves en el Seno de Reloncaví.