COLORADO RIVER DELTA, MEXICO—A new tool can better support habitat in the Colorado River Delta by identifying key areas for restoration, according to a new study published in Journal of Environmental Management. This significant scientific contribution will allow for the optimization of limited water and financial resources in the Colorado River Delta, which, due to significant restoration efforts, is reviving with birds and other wildlife.
“We’re really pleased that we can take the guesswork out of identifying the best sites in the Delta for restoring one of the world’s most important bottlenecks for birds,” said Joanna Grand, Director of Spatial Conservation Planning of Audubon and lead author for the study. “This tool allows us to select for the abundance and diversity of birds, and with the right investment in land, will help restore an ecosystem that is about to disappear due to upstream development of water.”
The National Audubon Society led the study in collaboration with Pronatura Noroeste (a Mexico-based environmental nonprofit), the United States Geological Survey, the Bureau of Reclamation, the University of Arizona, the University of Colorado, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
“Audubon’s analytical expertise, combined with Pronatura Noroeste’s extensive record of monitoring data, has allowed us to develop an innovative restoration strategy that should improve outcomes for birds,” said Stefanny Villagómez, expert avian Conservation Biologist with Pronatura Noroeste.
This study builds on several others over the past few years including a study from the International Boundary and Water Commission showing that Bird Abundance and Diversity Increase after Pulse Flow and a study from to Audubon who measured how important the Delta is for migrating birds.
“Our collaboration with environmental groups and governments on both sides of the US-Mexico border has allowed us to significantly improve habitat quality in the Colorado River Delta,” said Jennifer Pitt, Colorado River Program Director. of Audubon, and study author. “This study is an incredible tool that we can use to push our efforts even further while becoming responsible stewards of the precious resources of the Colorado River.”
The study used machine learning and systematic conservation planning techniques. By predicting bird distributions in simulated landscapes with different restoration scenarios, the research identified the most important locations for restoration. This data will be shared with partners and land managers in the region, and has potential applications for restoration work in regions beyond the Colorado River Delta.
For more context, read an article from Joanna Grand and Jennifer Pitt.
To read the journal article: Strategic restoration planning for land birds in the Colorado River Delta, Mexico.
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Touch the contact:
Joey Kahn
Director of Communications, Water Conservation
[email protected]; 415.494.9198
