Bird Hazard: Characterization and identification of vegetation species that are attractive to wildlife in the green areas of the International Airport Augusto C. Sandino, Managua, Nicaragua

Abstract

Diversity, structures and phenology of plants inside green areas of Augusto C. Sandino International Airport were evaluated. The purpose was to determine the species that are attractive to dangerous wild fauna, due to the fact that those species can provide food, refuge and habitats for animals. With this study, we expect recommend species with potential to be planted on the green areas of the airport. Nested plots of 2 x 2 m, 5 x 5 m and 10 x 10 m were established to take the data of herbs, bushes and trees respectively. Plots were established randomly in three places inside the airport field area: the west dry forest of the airport (BSO), the air force (FA) and in the green area around the landing strip (AVP). Inside the plots, 117 trees were counted in all places, all of then included in 11 species, 10 genus, 8 families and 4 orders. The trees species with highest densities were: Calycophyllum candidissimum (450 individuals/ ha), Albizia niopides (344), Azadirachta indica (289) and Senna siamea (261). The place with the biggest diversity and density of trees was FA. Thirty six individuals of bushes were identified, one belonging to Capsicum annum and 35 to Lantana camara. Eleven thousand eight hundred forty five individuals of herbs were counted, derived from 28 species, 23 genus, 14 families and 13 orders. AVP got the highest diversity and density of herb. Herbs species with highest densities were: Cenchrus brownii (256,282.05 individuals/ha), Cynodon dactylon (141,538.46), Digitaria decumbens (106,794.87), Bothriochloa pertusa (51,282.05), Elyrtaria imbricada (38,846.15) y Panicum maximum (30,192.31). Complete phenology was determined to 31 species, 6 (19.35%) got flowers and fruits all the year: Cordia dentata, Boerhavia erecta, Chamaesyce hyssopifolia, Eleucine indica, Melanthera nivea y Rhynchosia minima. The trees species as Albizia niopoides, Manguifera indica, Spondias mombin, Cordia dentata, Guazuma ulmifolia y Calycophyllum candidissimum were determined as attractive to wildlife, they supply them foods and refuge, because fruits, flowers with abundant nectar, leaves with less visual obstruction (high densities of leaves) and horizontal branches. Herbs species such as Tridax procumbens and Tribulus terrestis were determined forming dense mats of vegetation with attractive flowers to insects in the dry season, those insects at the same time, were focuses of attraction for insectivorous birds as: Hirundus rustica (Swallows), Quiscalus mexicanus (Zanate), Molotrus aeneus (Starling), Egretta thula (White Egretts) which remain in the green areas around the runway and were dangerous to strike with airplanes. Species of Poaceae family has been registered as supplying of grains to birds as Columbidae (Doves), very abundant around the runway. Large species of Poaceae as Panicum maximum, P. antidotale, Sorgum halapensis, produce big grains (>0.3 cm) and formed corridors to medium large mammal, reptiles and others birds. Inside airport areas, two species (B. pertusa and C. dactylon) were determined with not very potential as attractiveness for wildlife, mainly to be small (less than 0.3 m), vegetative reproduction and small grains or without them, excellent to plant on the surroundings the runway. An essay to establish both species was carried out, with satisfactory results; they won space against others monocotiledons and dicotiledons plants, especially C. dactylon.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v10i15.668