A Journey from Argentina to Utah and Its Impact on Conservation

OGDEN, Utah— Throughout the Americas, millions of migratory shorebirds depend upon saline lakes. However, alarming reports and photos of these lakes drying up point to the devastating impacts of too much water being extracted from the lakes or their inflows. One of the species most dependent on saline lakes is Wilson’s Phalarope. 

Marcela Castellino, a former undergraduate research exchange student from Argentina who attended Weber State over a decade ago, is now a Saline Lakes Conservation Specialist in various conservation organizations in North and South America. She stated "Surveys conducted in recent years show a decline in numbers. Phalaropes are highly dependent on these lakes, so if something happens to key sites, such as the Great Salt Lake, the global population will be significantly impacted."

While at Weber State Castellino worked under the direction of John Cavitt, WSU zoology professor, to study Wilson's Phalarope. This past June, Castellino and Cavitt revisited the Great Salt Lake to observe the population of shorebirds before the Wilson's Phalarope migrated south at the end of the month. 

While watching the birds, Castellino and Cavitt discussed the impact of water diversion and climate change on the phalaropes and other birds at the Great Salt Lake. They highlighted the decline in numbers due to these environmental factors. Additionally, they talked about the student research exchange program Castellino participated in, which involved researching shore birds from various countries along the migration flyway.

Castellino first came to Utah in 2012 through a conservation-focused exchange program. The initiative aimed to fund research at the Great Salt Lake and allowed students from countries along major bird migration routes the opportunity to spend the summer researching birds that they have in their hometown. The goal was to build some capacity to conduct similar research when they returned to their home country. For Castellino, this meant studying the phalarope — or, as it’s known fondly in South America, the chorlito. 

Looking back at her experience in the program Castellino recalls how she was interested in birds but not specifically phalaropes until she came to Utah. She said, “I came here and it was a really life-changing experience it opened my mind and introduced me to the phalarope…that’s crazy to me because I had phalaropes literally in my backyard.” She later reminisced, “The first time I came here, I remember that I thought, 'This smells the same way as my lake.' It feels very similar; it feels kind of like home.” 

A successful conservation specialist of phalaropes and their environments for the past 12 years, Castellino says, “I try to be incredibly grateful.” 

This visit from Castellino alone may not change much due to the decline of the Phalarope population, it will raise awareness of the situation and the possible extinction of the native shorebird. We too feel incredibly grateful to Cavitt, Castellino, and others who have been working with them for their continued efforts in protecting this species. 

The College of Science at Weber State offers highly-ranked undergraduate research programs in various areas of study. If you need help navigating some of these options, visit Academic Advising (weber.edu) to make an appointment with a College of Science advisor. They will help with questions and resources to get you started on your academic journey.