Managing small grassland reserves: bird response to regenerative grazing in a private reserve in Argentina

Abstract

In the grassland biomes of southern South America, high agricultural land value limits the expansion of protected areas, making conservation on private lands through voluntary schemes essential. These frequently limited in size reserves require livestock grazing management to maintain biodiversity, yet the effects of specific regimes like regenerative grazing on birds remain unstudied in the hill grasslands of the Pampean region. We evaluated the bird assemblage response to experimental regenerative grazing by comparing it to traditional grazing and nograzing controls on a ranch with a Private Reserve in the Tandilia Hills in the Pampean region of Argentina. We recorded 36 bird species, including 24 habitat generalists and 12 grassland specialists. Bird abundance was affected by grazing conditions. Grassland specialists were positively associated with increased grassland structure, while generalists showed the opposite response. Vegetation structure was lower with traditional grazing, intermediate with regenerative grazing and maximum without grazing. The frequency and timing of grazing should allow for rest to ensure a complex vertical structure for grassland birds during the nesting period. Innovative grazing in small reserves supports sustainable use and habitat continuity in the Tandilia Hills, but its application requires cautious timing to avoid compromising grassland bird habitat during breeding season