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AGULHAS LONG-BILLED LARK

27th January, 2024

AGULHAS LONG-BILLED LARK

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Context

  • South Africa’s Agulhas long-billed lark are adapting and surviving despite farming taking over their nesting grounds.

Agulhas Long-billed Lark

  • The Agulhas Long-billed Lark (Certhilauda brevirostris) is a bird species native to South Africa, particularly in the southwestern part of the country.

Physical Characteristics:

  • The Agulhas Long-billed Lark is a medium-sized bird with a distinct appearance.
  • It has a long, slender bill, which is a characteristic feature of this species.
  • The plumage of the lark is generally brown and streaked, providing camouflage in its natural habitat.

Habitat:

  • This lark is commonly found in a variety of open habitats, including grasslands, and shrublands.
  • It predominantly nests in the critically endangered Renosterveld fynbos, a vegetation type characterized by grasses and wild spring flowers.

Distribution:

  • The Agulhas Long-billed Lark is endemic to the southwestern part of South Africa, with a range that includes the Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape.

Behavior:

  • As with many lark species, the Agulhas Long-billed Lark is known for its distinctive and melodious song, often delivered from a conspicuous perch.

Feeding Habits:

  • The lark primarily feeds on seeds and insects. Its long bill is adapted for probing into the soil in search of food.

Population:

  • Population estimates range from 203,000 to 368,000 individuals.

 

Conservation Status:

  • The conservation status of the Agulhas Long-billed Lark is currently Classified as Near-Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. 

Importance in Ecosystem:

  • As a bird species, the Agulhas Long-billed Lark plays a role in the ecosystem by contributing to insect control and seed dispersal, thus influencing the dynamics of its habitat.

Nesting Practices Study:

  • Recent research by the University of Cape Town’s FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology marked the first study on the nesting practices of the Agulhas Long-billed Lark.

Preference for Renosterveld:

  • Approximately 66% of nests were found in Renosterveld patches, emphasizing the lark's preference for this habitat.
  • Renosterveld constitutes less than 10% of the landscape, posing conservation challenges.

Factors contributing to Renosterveld fynbos degradation and loss:

Agricultural Expansion:

  • Farmland expansion and cultivation encroach on Renosterveld habitat, causing fragmentation and loss.

Urbanization and Infrastructure:

  • Rapid urban development clears land for housing and roads, isolating Renosterveld and promoting degradation.

Overgrazing by Livestock:

  • Uncontrolled grazing by cattle and sheep leads to soil erosion, reduced vegetation, and ecosystem imbalances.

Invasive Species:

  • Spread of invasive plants competes with native vegetation, altering plant communities and disrupting the ecological balance.

Fire Mismanagement:

  • Inappropriate fire practices disrupt natural regeneration, harming Renosterveld vegetation.

Mining Activities:

  • Mining operations cause habitat destruction and fragmentation, impacting the integrity of Renosterveld.

Climate Change:

  • Climate influences, though not direct causes, exacerbate existing threats and may impact Renosterveld viability.

Conservation Needs:

  • Protection of remaining Renosterveld patches is critical for the survival of the Agulhas Long-billed Lark.
  • Natural vegetation growth should be encouraged to increase the size of Renosterveld patches.
  • Fire management in Renosterveld is essential, with burning avoided during the larks' peak nesting time (August to November).

Long-Term Conservation Strategies:

  • Conservation efforts should focus on preserving not only the Agulhas Long-billed Lark but also other species dependent on Renosterveld.
  • Further research is needed to understand predator dynamics in the Renosterveld and improve conservation strategies.
  • Balancing short-term losses with long-term survival strategies, considering the larks' reasonably long lifespan (up to 13 years).

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1.    The Agulhas Long-billed Lark is a bird species native to Egypt.

2.    It predominantly nests in a vegetation type called Renosterveld fynbos.

3.    The Agulhas Long-billed Lark is currently Classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A.    Only 1

B.    Only 2

C.    All

D.   None

Answer: A. Only 1

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Agulhas Long-billed Lark is not native to Egypt; it is native to South Africa, particularly in the southwestern part of the country.

Statement 2 is correct. The Agulhas Long-billed Lark predominantly nests in a critically endangered vegetation type called Renosterveld fynbos.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Agulhas Long-billed Lark is currently classified as "Near-Threatened" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, not "Critically Endangered."