Saline Lakes Conservation Specialist
Manomet
Bio:
Marcela has been part of the WHSRN team and the Manomet Flyways Program since 2019. Within the team, her role is linked to the conservation of saline lakes and the focal species of her work is the Wilson’s Phalarope. She has experience working with the species since 2012, including two summers working at Great Salt Lake almost 10 years ago. Marcela has focused in recent years on strengthening ties between partners of different saline lakes in the Western Hemisphere, especially those that are part of WHSRN, including Great Salt Lake. To this end, she coordinates, participates, and supports research, monitoring, education, and community involvement projects all related to Wilson’s Phalarope.
Title: Current Situation of the Wilson’s Phalarope: A Review at the Hemispheric Level
Abstract: The conservation of species that depend on diverse sites throughout an extensive geographic region, as is the case of Wilson's Phalarope, is challenging not only from an ecological point of view, but also from a social, political, economic, and cultural. I’ll share briefly about the numerous threats that the species faces throughout its distribution in the American continent, that were identified and shared in the updated version of the Conservation Plan for the species. All of these must be considered when planning and implementing conservation and research actions. However, some of these threats stand out as likely to have dramatic and immediate effects on the species globally, with major direct negative consequences on the survival of Wilson's Phalarope. More immediate actions are required to avoid negative consequences for the species in the short term. This presentation is also a review of what a diverse group of people working with the species and members of the International Phalarope Working Group have advanced about monitoring and researching the species on a hemispheric scale, as well as which are the most important points that we consider should be addressed shortly to guarantee its conservation, ensuring thus the conservation of the saline wetlands that are their home.