The need for and importance of shorebird data from a brazilian perspective

For forty years, shorebird protection has been working in Brazil, notably with the creation of Lagoa do Peixe National Park in 1986. In 2013, the Environment Ministry adopted the National Action Plan for Shorebird Conservation (PAN), conducted by researchers and institutions to increase and ensure effective protection of critical shorebird habitats by 2018. We present the need for and importance of shorebird data for the PAN development, from its conception to its effective evaluation. The PAN was drawn up after an assessment of 48 species of shorebirds. 28 focus-species were selected and their main requirements for conservation were highlighted. Regarding the overlapping with threats existing along the Brazilian wetlands, the plan defined actions, targets and products needed for shorebird conservation. PAN is annually monitored by an Advisory Group (GAP). The knowledge of shorebird abundance and its habitats is the basis of the assessment and the plan for conservation. Weak estimates can result in a plan based on very generic approaches and low effective strategies, affecting negatively on its execution and evaluation. The Advisory Group recommended guidelines to studies and census and pointed priority places to conduct them – Protected Areas where studies could be continued. Additionally, the PAN focuses on identifying and protecting important habitats for shorebirds. The insufficient and discontinued support for actions could limit their effectiveness and it should be fundamental for the PAN to expand its partners and increasingly involve society.