Occurrence of Waterfowl and Shorebirds in Rice Cultivations in the Northwestern Region of Paraná State, Brazil

A significant portion of the world's natural wetlands has been lost or altered, primarily due to agricultural expansion. Among these activities, rice cultivation stands out, particularly in the southern Brazilian states. Rice, a grass adapted to aquatic environments, is typically grown in flood-prone areas, creating conditions similar to natural wetlands and providing habitat and food resources for many waterbird species. In the state of Paraná, natural environments suitable for sustaining large concentrations of waterbirds are scarce. The first records of large waterbird flocks in the region were made along the left bank of the Paraná River, in artificial lagoons formed for rice cultivation. Given the ecological and economic relevance of this issue, a systematic study was conducted to assess the species richness and abundance of birds benefiting from these conditions. The research was carried out in floodplain rice fields along the right bank of the Ivaí River, a tributary of the Paraná River, within the municipalities of Planaltina do Paraná, Querência do Norte and Santa Mônica. The study began in 2013 and extended through 2019. Additional censuses were conducted in 2021 and 2024, totaling 20 field phases. Across the three study sites, 14 families and 49 species of water-associated birds were recorded. The findings provide valuable insights for developing agricultural land management strategies that maintain the functionality of these areas as supplementary habitats while balancing agricultural productivity with waterbird conservation.