ORNI-
THOLOGY
Since Taricaya was founded in 2001 we have been studying the birds of the reserve to gather information of this group as indicators of ecosystem health. With expert ornithologists on site, we have intensively collected data over the years using 3 different methods: (1) fix point observations at different stations around the reserve to study bird behavior, numbers and climate; (2) mist nets at different stations for bird banding to study population dynamics, impact and seasonality of migrants, behavioral traits and much more; (3) opportunistic sightings when we are working on other activities in the forest; which has allowed us to learn a huge amount about the birds of the reserve and we have even registered species not thought to be found in the area.
BOTANY
The plant diversity in the Amazon rainforest is overwhelming. Estimates claim that one hectare of jungle can be home to over 3,000 different species of plants. In 2009, we studied the plant diversity inside the reserve with an expert botanist. For a hole year we collected periodically specimens from different habitats located within the reserve (sterile samples, flowers, fruits and seeds) to take into the laboratory for processing and identification. Also, several tree samples were marked around the reserve and were evaluated on a monthly basis to discover the phenological state (life cycle) of the species to determine a pattern for flowering and fruiting respectively. Another study of timber species was developed with a forestry engineer a few years later.
Bats
Bats have an essential role to play in the ecosystem of the tropical rainforest as predators, pollinators and seed dispersers. The study of this group is essential and their presence and population numbers can provide us with an excellent indicator of the health of the ecosystem. With an expert chiropterologist on site, we have been studying the bats of the reserve using mist nets in different stations around the reserve. Sampling has been performed from the ground level up to a height of 6m and every individual is photographed and bio-metric data taken before release. We have also designed pioneering methods to get mist nets higher up into the mid-canopy and tree tops and sample more elusive species.
HERPE
TOLOGY
Herpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles. Amphibians are often the first animals to disappear in an area that has been severely impacted and so monitoring their populations and diversity is essential when designing any conservation strategies. Tropical rainforests provide ideal living conditions for amphibians and as reptiles are the main predators of the frogs and toads their presence should be expected also. Since Taricaya was founded in 2001 we have been studying the amphibian and reptiles of the reserve to gather information of these groups. With our expert herpetologist on site, we have intensively collected data over the years using pitfall traps, night walks and opportunistic encounters.
MAMMA
LOGY
Since Taricaya was founded in 2001 we have been studying the species of non-flying mammals of the reserve to gather information of this group as indicator of ecosystem health. We have collected data over the years using different methods, including census for population abundance, walks looking for tracks/scats for presence-absence. We have also identified colpas, where mammals feed on clay to help digest unripe food, to monitor the mammals of the reserve. We have systematically identified several such locations and in the larger ones have installed platforms to observe the wildlife. In the case of rodents and marsupials we have performed several studies using Sherman, Tomahawk and
pitfall traps.
ENTO
MOLOGY
Bats have an essential role to play in the ecosystem of the tropical rainforest as predators, pollinators and seed dispersers. The study of this group is essential and their presence and population numbers can provide us with an excellent indicator of the health of the ecosystem. With an expert chiropterologist on site, we have been studying the bats of the reserve using mist nets in different stations around the reserve. Sampling has been performed from the ground level up to a height of 6m and every individual is photographed and bio-metric data taken before release. We have also designed pioneering methods to get mist nets higher up into the mid-canopy and tree tops and sample more elusive species.