Since 2008 scientific research has been conducted to monitor and
document the biology of the reserve and to seek bio-indicators of climatic
changes happening in the region. Research already conducted includes surveying
mammal presences and abundances using camera traps, herpetofaunal surveys, bird
species surveys, altitudinal climatic surveys using data loggers to record
temperature and humidity, micro-habitats in bromeliads and bryophyte surveys to assess their potential as
bio-indicators.
Bird Survey
To date we have recorded approximately 10 000 records of 190 bird species (solely at the reserve) over three years. Endemic species recorded represent 42% of the endemic species that exist on the western Andean slopes of the Choco Andean corridor, making it clear that the reserve is of extremely high conservation value. A greater species diversity was observed in primary forest, with disturbed habitats (secondary forest and silvopasture) displaying lower diversity. It is interesting to note however that 80 of the total 190 species observed were actually recorded in all habitat types and we are now investigating how effective secondary forest and silvopasture are as suitable habitats for endangered and rare species.
Camera Trapping
Each year for a limited period (3-6 months) we have established a camera trap network using top of the
range camera traps (Reconyx RC-60). These cameras have very fast trigger times
and an invisible infra-red flash. These cameras have proved to be the only
camera systems we have tried capable of withstanding the cloudforest environment and they
also guarantee captured images of all passing wildlife. Of particular interest,
the cameras captured images of Paramo Wolf descending to lower altitudes
through the reserve and then returning to higher ground a day later, a species
normally observed only at higher altitudes. See all the images on the
Rainforest Concern website at http//www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/lifesci/rainforest/.
The complete dataset is currently under analysis.
Herpetofauna surveys
Almost all aspects of herpetofaunal understanding is lacking for the
areas surrounding the Santa Lucia Reserve. However, since we began surveys in
2008, 21 species of reptile have been identified and a number of amphibian
species are still being identified at museums. We trialled a variety of survey
methods but no single method proved to be particularly successful in capturing
all species. Of particular interest, bromeliads have proved to be important
micro-habitats for many anuran, linking specifically to their survival.
Following successful trials we have now established altitudinal transects of traps that mimic bromeliad habitat that will be collected in 2012 to
provide information on canopy anuran species.
Long-term monitoring of
population trends
For projects that aim to improve forest habitat, i.e. as part of REDD++, there is an urgent need to
develop simple indicators of forest stats. Preliminary results from the latest
analyses of the bird monitoring dataset indicate that habitat quality indicator
species need to be altitude specific in regions of extreme topography such as
the tropical Andes i.e. altitude is the key explanatory variable for species
presence and abundance. For birds, the key to monitor population changes depends
on having sufficient replicates or records to carry out statistical tests to
prove “real” change. The species that provide sufficient information include
the Andean Solitaire, Orange-bellied Euphonia, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan,
Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Sparkling Violeteer and the Wattled Guan. The
results of an undergraduate thesis based on data collected in 2008 and 2009
suggest that although generally easy to detect, it might be that birds may not
be the most sensitive group of species for monitoring change. There is a caveat
to the last sentence – we are likely to be surprised by the impacts of
environmental change and unexpected effects can only be identified through a
monitoring programme that covers a wide spectrum of the species present as
possible.
Bromeliad community structure
and food webs
In 2010 several canopy bromeliad samples were taken to investigate
biotic and abiotic characteristics that influence invertebrate and vertebrate
communities and food webs of bromeliad “tank water” environments. The work is
still underway as part of a thesis project at the San Francisco University
(Quito). Preliminary results show that
bromeliads sampled maintain 70-150 invertebrate larvae specimens and up to 20
adult invertebrates. Predominant orders found so far include, but are not limited
to: Coleoptra, Diptera, Odonata, Blataria, Saltatoria and Annelida. A few ant
colonies have been found in several samples as well as frogs from the
Pristimantis genus (Strabomantidae) . These “canopy pools” of water provide
standing water habitats in a region where most water is flowing due to steep slopes
and can play an important role in disease vectors, such as mosquito hosts for
malaria.
Carbon assessment of Cloud
Forest
New financing mechanisms for tropical forests are coming online that
includes financing forests directly for their role as carbon stores. With 1/3
of all carbon emissions associated with deforestation it is important to
provide incentives to reduce these emission sources. In 2010 we estimated
carbon stocks of the forest at Santa Lucia Reserve from 30 plots and 1320
individual tree samples. Results show an average above ground carbon stock of
143.63 (+/- 27.)t C/ha. We can conservatively estimate that the reserve
provides carbon sequestration (through avoided deforestation alone) of
approximately 1600 tonnes per annum. To provide some context this represents
offset values for approximately 800 transatlantic return flights (per person
calculation).
