Nature Reserve & Biological Station
Biodiversity Surveys & Inventories
Apart from the well-researched avifauna, the diversity of most other taxonomic groups present at the nature reserve Un poco del Chocó has not yet been studied in detail. Therefore the inventory of the existing animal and plant species is of great interest. In the past years we have already hosted independent research projects on lepidopterans, fungi, snails and plants, yet so much more is out there to explore. One of our ongoing research projects is the inventory of lepidopterans which we are monitoring with bait traps. Some of the butterflies can be identified using the available literature. However it is often required to collect specimens and consult with a specialist. A collaboration with the Institute for Biodiversity in Quito facilitates species identification.
To enable future visitors of the reserve to easier identify certain species, we are compling species lists and field guides to certain animal or plant families. We have also started a project on iNaturalist to collect the many casual observations of wildlife in the reserve.
Students or researchers interested in developing an inventory study in the reserve are welcome!!
Camera Trap Project
The goal of this longterm-monitoring project is to study mammals and ground birds in different parts of the reserve and its surroundings with camera traps. We are using this non-invasive method to do an inventory of species, study habitat use and activity patterns, and compare communities in different land uses. Besides numerous small to medium-sized rodents and ground birds, regular sightings on our camera footage are agutis, pacas, armadillos, opossums, tayras and tamanduas. Plus, we have been able to record the presence of peccaries, grison, two different deer species, and also carnivores like ocelots, jaguarundis, and pumas.
