Southern South American Grassland Birds

Southern South American Grassland Birds

The MOU on the Conservation of Southern South American Migratory Grassland Bird Species and Their Habitats was concluded under the auspices of CMS and became effective on 26 August 2007. Under the “umbrella“ of the Convention on Migratory Species, the governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay agreed to work together towards better conservation of migratory species of grassland birds of Southern South America and developed the MOU text. Brazil, while not a CMS Party, is a signatory to this agreement, emphasizing its commitment to the region’s ecological health.

 

Background

The grasslands of South Southern America are among the most extensive grassland ecosystems in the Neo-tropics, hosting a rich diversity of plant and animal species. These ecosystems provide critical ecosytem services such as supporting agriculture, livestock farming, and biodiversity, and they play a vital role in carbon storage and water regulation. Additionally, grasslands hold cultural value and contribute significantly to ecotourism.

Despite their importance, these grasslands face growing threats, including habitat loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, pollution, and invasive species. Fragmentation of these ecosystems has particularly impacted migratory bird species, leading to population declines and localized extinctions.

The Southern South American Grassland Birds MOU addresses these urgent conservation needs by uniting regional governments and partners in cooperative efforts to protect migratory grassland birds and their habitats. Signatories are committed to sustainable land-use practices, habitat restoration, and raising awareness about the ecological and cultural significance of these ecosystems.

 

MOU Text and Annexes

The MOU text outlines the scope of the MOU as well as general conservation measures endeavoured by its Signatories. The following  form part of the MOU text:

The Action Plan, included sets the following objectives: 

  1. Habitat protection: Protecting and managing grassland habitats by identifying and safeguarding key areas.
  2. Grassland management: Encouraging sustainable practices, such as financial incentives for local cattle ranchers.
  3. Community awareness: Raising awareness.
  4. Public and private policies: Supporting conservation efforts on private lands alongside protected areas.
  5. International cooperation: Enhancing international collaboration.

 

Scope

The MOU focuses on the conservation of 11 priority bird species listed under CMS Appendices I and II. These species include the Strange-Tailed Tyrant (Alectrurus risora), Cock-tailed Tyrant (Alectrurus tricolor), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis), Bearded Tachuri (Polystictus pectoralis pectoralis), Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea), Gray-and-Chestnut Seedeater/Rufous-rumped Seedeater (Sporophila hypochroma), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris), Dark-throated Seedeater (Sporophila ruficollis), and Saffron-Cowled Blackbird (Xanthopsar flavus).

The Strange-Tailed Tyrant (Alectrurus risora), Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis), Chestnut Seedeater (Sporophila cinnamomea), Marsh Seedeater (Sporophila palustris), and Saffron-Cowled Blackbird (Xanthopsar flavus) are at risk of extinction according the 2021 IUCN Red list .

 

Our Work

The Southern South American Grassland Birds MOU (SSAGB) is coordinated by Signatories through a collaborative mechanism, with support from the CMS Secretariat, ensuring harmonized conservation efforts across range states.

Signatories commit to measures such as:

  • Protecting and restoring critical habitats.
  • Promoting sustainable land-use practices including eco-friendly agricultural and grazing methods.
  • Strengthening research and monitoring programs o track population trends and identify threats.
  • Raising awareness of grassland birds’ ecological importance.
  • Encouraging regional and international collaboration to secure resources and share knowledge.

The SSAGBMOU works with partners in both Signatory and non-Signatory Range States, as well as conservation organizations and local communities, to support activities that maintain the favorable conservation status of migratory grassland birds across Southern South America.

Explore more about the ongoing Core Activities and Projects being implemented to protect the grassland birds and their habitats in the region.

 

Key milestones meetings and outcomes

From 2010- 2024 three meetings (MOS1-MOS3) and a virtual meeting has been held and key outcomes and documents produced and endorsed by the Signatories to date are:

  1. MOS1 (Asunción, Paraguay, 2010):  Adoption of the Action Plan.
  2. MOS2 (Florianópolis, Brazil, 2018): Inclusion of Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) under the MOU, updates to the Action Plan, initiation of planning matrix for 2018-2023 cycle and establishment of coordination mechanism and  format for future national reports.
  3. Virtual Meeting (Online,2020): Review of the Action Plan implementation progress.
  4. MOS3 (Florianópolis, Brazil, 2024): Conservation progress was reported, with collaboration and key needs identified; Chile expressed interest in joining the MOU; formation of a New Species Listing Group to review potential species for consideration at COP15; funding opportunities were explored alongside plans for a resolution ahead of COP15; Uruguay was designated as the next MoU Coordinator.

For more detailed outcomes, please refer to the respective pages for MOS1, MOS2, Virtual Meeting and MOS3.

 

Pays

Titre Statut Status date CMS Party number Region
Argentina MOU Signatory 2007 039 South & Central America & The Caribbean
Bolivia MOU Signatory 2009 081 South & Central America & The Caribbean
Brazil MOU Signatory 2007 122 South & Central America & The Caribbean
Paraguay MOU Signatory 2007 056 South & Central America & The Caribbean
Uruguay MOU Signatory 2007 031 South & Central America & The Caribbean
Instrument nameMemorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Southern South American Migratory Grassland Bird Species and their Habitats
TypeArticle IV(4)
LanguagesEnglish
Spanish
DepositaryCMS Secretariat
SignatureSigned by 15 States and 1 Co-operating Organization (for details please scroll to 'other' and 'MoU Signatory')
In effectImmediately following signature by three states
Website URLhttp://www.cms.int/grassland-birds
OtherSigned also by Co-operating Organizations: CMS Secretariat on 26 August 2007

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