For most visitors to Peru’s Amazon region, the pleasure of encountering flora and fauna - and local inhabitants - in the company of a naturalist-guide is sufficient. But for those of a scientific bent, there is the opportunity to get hands-on with some conservation-oriented research, during a stay at the Rio Amazonas Research Station.
Note-taking in Amazon rainforest.
Not only is this a great way to appreciate the wonders of the rainforest and learn about biodiversity, tropical ecology, and the indigenous peoples of Amazonia, but the field studies you take part in will be used to provide the scientific base for wildlife and community-based conservation; the impact of climate change and the wildlife trade on the region; and the recovery of endangered species.
It is hoped that - in conjunction with international universities and institutions such as WWF, the G & B Moore Foundation, WCS, USAID, The Darwin Initiative, FondAm and CIFOR - the results will advance community-based wildlife management, protected area management, wildlife conservation policy in the Peruvian Amazon, and lead to the creation of new protected areas.
Rio Amazonas - historic riverboat.
The historic Rio Amazonas riverboat serves as a splendid floating lodge, from which to explore the Yarapa River basin.
Situated between the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Community Reserve, in one of the largest protected area complexes in Peru, the Yarapa site is a flooded forest ecosystem of abundant wilderness and some of the greatest diversity of animals and plants on Earth.
Aquatic and terrestrial wildlife includes: healthy dolphin and primate densities; abundant wading birds and fish; recovering otter and caiman populations; along with numerous other mammals and birds.
The local inhabitants are involved with the conservation activities and play a major role in helping to conserve these rainforests.
Whilst staying at the Research Station, visitors will be involved with research on monitoring wildlife populations.
Dr. Bodmer in unguarded moment.
Surveys include ungulates (hoofed mammals such as deer, tapirs and peccaries), macaws, large-bodied primates, caimans, dolphins, giant river otters, manatees, river turtles, game birds, understory birds, large cats, other large mammals, palm trees and large fish.
Below are examples of the format this research might take … all in the company of qualified biologists and local field assistants, led by Professor Richard Bodmer, a leading authority on the Amazon in the province of Loreto.
Terrestrial mammals (ungulates and rodents), arboreal mammals (eg primates) and game birds are surveyed using transects. Trails an average of 3 km (2miles) long are walked at approximately 1 km/hour from 7am to midday and 2 to 4 pm.
When a group of animals is encountered, the number of individuals is recorded, and the perpendicular distance from the trail to the first individual sighted is measured. Population densities are calculated as number of individuals per square kilometre (ind/km2).
Terrestrial mammals are also surveyed with infrared and motion camera traps. Cameras are set up over areas of approximately 100 square km (39 square miles), across habitat types. They need regular checking, to determine battery levels and general functioning of the units.
Searching riverbank for macaws.
Macaws, parrots and parakeets are surveyed by counting the number that pass designated spots along the shoreline of rivers, lakes, and channels in a 15-minute period. Censuses are done from 5.30 to 9.00 am and 4.00 to 6.30pm when movement is usually unidirectional … from roosting to feeding sites, or vice versa.
Species are determined by visual and auditory identification, and records are taken of the number of individuals in a flock and the minute they are observed.
Weighing & measuring fish as part of survey.
Fish are surveyed using gill nets that are 30 m (98 ft) long, 3 m (10 ft) deep, and with a mesh size of 3.5 inches (7.6 cm). These are set for one hour in rivers, lakes, channels, and flooded forest habitats with weak currents.
Those fish that are caught in this time are categorised according to species, weight, standard length, and the geographic location, before being released back into the water.
A side-scan sonar is also used to determine the abundance of fish in designated shallow areas. The sonar is attached to a slow-moving skiff: fish reflect white on the sonar as a result of oxygen held in intestines, swim bladders and gills.
The same sonar can also be used to record dolphins.
Waterfowl are surveyed by shoreline transects in the early morning (5.30 - 9 am) and late afternoon (4 - 6.30pm).
Using an aluminium skiff, surveyors travel slowly (2 km/hr) along 5 km (3 miles) of river, lake, and channel habitats, recording all perched or flying waterfowl that are seen.
Population abundance of each species is calculated as number of individuals per km (ind/km).
Amazon River Dolphin in Yarapa River.
A similar process is used to survey dolphins, although the hours are different: 7am - midday and 2 - 4pm.
Dolphins are recorded visually when breaching the water surface, and the number of dolphins, pod size, and behavior are determined by visual tracking.
Caiman being measured during nighttime survey.
Caiman surveys are conducted after dark: 8pm - midnight.
Again, using a skiff travelling along a 5 km (3 mile) transect, caimans are located by their eye reflections using a spotlight and approached to a distance where observations can be made.
Terrestrial amphibian encountered during survey.
Amphibians, by nature of being both aquatic and terrestrial, require two methods to survey.
Aquatic surveys are conducted after dark by carefully driving a skiff into floating vegetation. All frogs sighted or captured within a 2 m (6.5 ft) radius of the boat are recorded. The data includes species, sex, weight, size, microhabitat type, habitat temperature, and humidity.
To survey terrestrial amphibians, transects of 500 m (1/3 of a mile) in the forest are done during both day and nighttime. Frogs sighted or captured are recorded, including the perpendicular distance from the transect.
All frogs are released in the same location as they were captured.
Fishing bat being inspected (then released).
Fishing bats are surveyed at night using 5 km (3 miles) aquatic transects using an aluminium skiff travelling at 10 km (6 miles) per hour. Bats are counted using a sonar bat box and spot light.
Forest bat species are recorded using multi frequency sonar recording equipment.
To learn how to join the important work being done by the Refugio Amazonas Research Station, please get in touch. A minimum of four days is required for a visit … but more are recommended!