Phase 1 Science Report Final

8/14/2019 Phase 1 Science Report Final

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The first 10-week phase is now finished and the expedition has achieved setting upand establishing 5 main projects in collaboration with local, national and

international partners.

1. Jaguar predation on sea turtles. In collaboration with the Costa RicaMinistry of Environment and Energy (MINAE)

2. Turtle feasibility study (collaboration with COTERC, association withMINAE and the CCC Caribbean Conservation Corporation)

3. EBCP Resident Bird Project (collaboration with Steven Furino, WaterlooUniversity, Canada)

4. Ethno-botany Project (collaboration with COTERC, Universidad Nacionalde Costa Rica and local people with ethno-botanical skills.

5. English language lessons (collaboration with the San Franciscocommunity)

GVI has agreed to initiate new projects in phase 2, both directly in partnership withMINAE:

1. Tourist impact assessment with the Tortuguero National Park

2. Assessment of Tortuguero National Park through tourism feedback.

INTRODUCTIONIn association with COTERC (Canadian Organization for Tropical Education andRainforest Conservation), GVI started the first Coastal Rainforest ConservationExpedition at the Biological Station Cao Palma in Tortuguero, Costa Rica on 1stJuly 2005.

While the expedition has been running for one full phase (10 weeks), it is still at the

advanced stage where some projects have been set up and data collection hasbegun, but methods and protocols are still being modified and hence data analysisis only preliminary and vaguely indicative. A full Annual Report in December 2006will collate and summarize all data and enable more descriptive and accurateanalysis. However, the GVI projects established with MINAE mainly aim to collectraw data, which will be handed over to MINAE for collation, comparison with otherrelevant data and analysis.


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1. JAGUAR PREDATION ON SEA TURTLES

Introduction

In recent years, there has been an observable increase in Jaguar tracks on thebeach in Tortuguero National Park. Jaguar presence has steadily risen with many

incidences also involving preyed-upon turtle carcasses. The Jaguar (Pantheraonca) is the largest Neotropical cat and is the only member of the Panthera genusto be found in the New World.

Jaguar predation on nesting sea turtles in Tortuguero has only been recordedrelatively recently. In 1997, the first two Jaguar related turtle carcasses werefound. Later in that same year, a mother and her cubs were observed in the act ofpreying upon a nesting Green Sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). The total number ofJaguar related deaths to Green Sea turtles reached four in the year of 1997. In1998, the number had grown to 25. This stayed consistent for the next year as 24turtles were preyed upon by Jaguars in 1999, including two Leatherbacks

(Dermochelys coriacea). These numbers have increased through 2003 when thetotal number of preyed upon turtles had reached 60.

Magally Castro, Director of Protected Wildlife Areas in the TortugueroConservation Area under the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) hasbeen collecting data on the Jaguar predation of sea turtles since 2002. However,due to lack of resources MINAE has asked GVI to continue the data collection inTortuguero National Park. The data GVI collects will add to existing sets of datacollected by MINAE and aid in their future analysis in order to use as a tool forfurther management of Jaguars and turtles in Tortuguero National Park.

AimThe Jaguar project aims to document the predation of nesting sea turtles byJaguars and determine a predation rate of the turtles nesting in the National Park.This study will continue throughout the Green turtle nesting season (July - October)and continue until December to monitor the beach for Jaguar presence during andafter turtles come out on the beach to nest. Data collection may already commenceagain in February 2006 before the Leatherback nesting season begins. Datacollection from this season will be compared to previous years and add to the long-term monitoring of Jaguar predation rate on sea turtles. In addition, we expect thatthe number of turtles being preyed upon is continuously rising, and that thisbehaviour will possibly alter the foraging patterns of Jaguars in the area.

Method

Jaguar walks are conducted over the 14 mile stretch of beach from the entranceof Tortuguero National Park (mile 3) south to Jalova lagoon (mile 18). One staffmember leads the walk with three expedition members. Before the walk begins,general data is collected such as date, name of researchers, weather, moonphase, start time, and end time upon completion. Beach size (distance from


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vegetation to high tide mark) is also recorded every four miles to give an indicationof how much. During the walk, researchers are counting the total number of fresh(1-2 nights old) turtle tracks on the beach, both half moons (not nested) and fulltracks (nested). When Jaguar tracks are encountered, the right hind foot isphotographed and measured. Information on direction of track, location (mile

marker and GPS coordinates) and number of sets of tracks present is recorded.Researchers also record data from dead turtles on the beach. If the carcass isfresh, and it seems to be a result of jaguar predation, data describing the carcassis recorded. Data include location (GPS coordinates), species, point of attack,nights since killed, amount of meat eaten, location of carcass relative to thevegetation and any extra comments worth noting. Photographs of particularfeatures may be taken.

Results

A total of 14 full surveys were conducted between 11 July and 7 September 2005.On average a Jaguar walk (survey) was conducted in 9:06 hours (fig. 1). However,

the slowest survey took 11:10 hours, but in good weather conditions and with fewor no Jaguar tracks present to record, surveys have been conducted in as little as7:21 hours.

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Time

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Fig. 1. Duration of 14 Jaguar walks (in hours) conducted between 11 July and 7 September 2005.9:06 hours.

Apart from one Hawksbill, all carcasses killed by Jaguars (n=39-1) were Greenturtles (Chelonia mydas). The highest concentration of turtle carcasses was foundbetween mile 7 to mile 10 (fig. 2) with up to 4 carcasses found within eachmile. The highest concentration of Jaguar tracks was also between mile 7 and10 (between 6 and 24 sets of tracks), with another smaller concentration evident


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around mile 14 to mile 18 (fig. 2). The number of half moon and full turtle tracksin this period was more than 3,000 and 30,000 respectively.

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Figure 2: Graph of total numbers of turtle carcasses (n=39) and sets of Jaguar tracks (n=158) from

Phase 1.

Discussion

While trends can be seen in the data collected from this first initial phase, theycannot represent a full picture of the whole turtle season. In addition, the methodand protocol has undergone several modifications and the data should thereforenot be considered totally reliable, but added to further data collection from the restof the season 2005.

From data collected on both Jaguar tracks and turtle carcasses, there seems to betwo areas of higher concentration of Jaguar activity; mile 7 to 10 and from 14 to 18. However, this trend was more evident based on data from the first 5weeks (total of 6 surveys between 11 July and 2 August 2005) and by the end ofthe phase the trend was less obvious and affecting the overall picture of the wholephase (fig. 2).

Nevertheless, the measurements of individual tracks support this preliminarytheory of different cats in the two areas of activity. Most of the tracks found in thefirst half of the beach (closer to Tortuguero) were of a Jaguar with hind-foot printsof 80mm x 100mm. This cat was usually found together with another cat with


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prints of about 80mm x 80mm. The second half of the beach was dominated by alarger Jaguar with hind-foot prints that measured 90mm x 110mm. These trackstended to stay separate during the first five weeks of data collection, but tracksfrom the large cat were recorded further north towards mile 7 in the second halfof the phase.

From the data collected so far, we speculate that there may be three cats foragingon nesting turtles on the Tortuguero National Park beach between mile 4 and 18.The track measurements seem to indicate a female with a cub in the area betweenmile 7 to mile 11. These two prints have been observed together many times, butrecently it seems that the smaller one has left. This could be the cub finally leavingthe mother to go and live on its own. The second half of the beach has beendominated by the larger Jaguar prints, probably a male. The tracks from this cathave been recorded most frequently between miles 14 and 17, suggesting that thebeach has two separate Jaguar territories. Until recently, this data provedconsistent as we only observed each cat in its own area. However, in the last

couple of weeks, the ranges have been overlapping, and we have observed thelarger Jaguar prints as far north as mile 7 . For a two week period the smallerJaguar was not observed. It is possible that the female and her cub went into theforest to set the cub loose, but this is pure speculation. During this time, the largerJaguar from the south could have explored the newly vacated area, which the datasuggests.

There has also been a drop off in carcass data from the northern end of the beach(mile 4 to 10) in the second half of the phase. This may be due to the lack ofactivity of the female for several weeks that was described before. This would alsoexplain the consistent low numbers of carcasses all along the beach. If there was

only the one Jaguar to patrol the entire beach, then he would be more likely tospread his kills as opposed to concentrate them in one area.

So far, data from fresh turtle carcasses shows that the amount eaten by is usuallynot very much. They seem to kill the turtle, and then only scoop out a little bit of fatand muscle, then move on. This could be due to the relative low energyexpenditure of hunting turtles compared to hunting and preying on peccary or deerin the forest.

Despite this attempt at preliminary data analysis of the Phase 1 data, it is evidenthow difficult it is to draw any conclusions. More data from the rest of the season is

necessary before any actual conclusions can be made. Furthermore, data from afull turtle season and the time immediately before and after the season should behelpful in further analysis and it should be interesting to see how the Jaguar activitydevelops depending on the turtle season. At the end of this season (November2005) Magally Castro (MINAE) will attempt to analyse data based on this seasonand the season in 2002 and 2003, enabling more accurate descriptions of theJaguar activity on the beach in Tortuguero National Park.


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2. TURTLE FEASIBILITY STUDY

Introduction

Whilst the protection wildlife in the Tortuguero National Park is contributing to thestability of sea turtle populations, many beaches surrounding the park are

supposedly undergoing a high percentage of poaching. In response to thisCOTERC started a four-year long feasibility study in 2004 with the aim ofdetermining nesting populations and poaching rate of Green turtles (Cheloniamydas) and Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) on the beach north ofTortuguero, within the Barro Colorado Wildlife Refuge. In July 2005 GVI joinedCOTERC in collecting data from the 3 mile stretch of unprotected beach on theNorth Beach. As well as sharing the data collection and analysis, GVI andCOTERC will be sharing data with the CCC (Caribbean Conservation Corporation)to compare with the poaching rates of sea turtles on protected National Parkbeaches.

MethodThe turtle project is conducted during the nesting seasons of Leatherbacks (March

June) and Green sea turtles (May November). During peak season, surveysare conducted every day to get as accurate data as possible. The surveys areconducted between mile 0 (north of the river Penentenencia) and mile 3 (LagunaCuatro), and usually begin around 5.30AM. Up to five observers (GVI staff andExpedition Members) conduct each survey and the following information isrecorded before beginning each survey: date, observers, start time, end time,weather, tide, and moon phase. Each survey consists of walking the beachbetween mile 0 and 3, recording tracks and signs of nested turtles. The teamidentifies tracks as full (turtle nested), half moon (turtle came out to lay, but turned

around before even attempting to nest), or a lifted/poached turtle (no tracks goingback into the sea). Nests (full tracks) are then identified as either an attemptednest, an intact nest, or a poached nest.

In order to eventually determine which indicators characterize poached nest, thefollowing five categories are recorded: 1) stick holes (indicating poacher has beenfeeling for loose sand on top of a nest), 2) broken eggshells, 3) a deep cavitywhere the nest should be, 4) footprints from either humans or dogs, and 5) shovelmarks.

Data is also recorded from encountering dead turtles on the beach. The size, sex,

state of the turtle, and an estimated time of death are recorded. Any obvious signsof an unnatural death are also recorded such as harpoon marks, machete cuts orblows of the head and/or limbs and photographs are taken. If the turtle has beentagged, the ID number is recorded and checked against CCC tagging data.


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Results

From the data that we have collected so far, we have observed a total of 1,417turtle tracks (fig. 1). There have been ten lifted turtles and 819 half moons. A totalof 588 body pits (full tracks) have been recorded and these have been dividedinto: a nest (unpoached), an attempted nest or a poached nest. Of the 386 nests,

200 were identified as poached nests, which gives a tentative poaching rate of51.8%. Most recorded tracks were made by Green turtles, with the exception of sixHawksbill tracks and one Leatherback track.

Turtle Tracks Recorded

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racks

Fig. 1: Graph of all tracks (n=1,417) recorded from 7 July to 7 September 2005. Body pits indicatefull tracks which are then divided into either nests, poached nests or attempted nests.

Details on poached nests have been recorded since July 25th, which include 119poached nests. Of the 119 poached nests, 100 were observed to have prints, 56had a large noticeable cavity, 50 had stick/poach holes, 29 had shovel marks, and12 had broken eggshells nearby. All poached nests were determined by at leastone of these indicators.

Discussion

This is an ongoing project, and will continue over the next several years. We are

currently in the middle of the Green turtle season, and data has only been recordedsince July. However, there are already trends in the data, which seem to correlatewith COTERCs data from the beginning of the season and the season in 2004, butmore data collection is necessary before any conclusions can be reached throughanalysis.

The number of tracks found on the beach during the current season has been veryhigh. This corresponds to data from the protected beach of Tortuguero National


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Park, where the number of nesting Green turtles has not been this high in over 30years. The preliminary poaching rate (51.8%) is actually relatively low compared toprevious years, but still more data collection is necessary to support this statement.However, the consensus among the local population is that increased monitoringand scientific research along the beach has deterred some poachers and led to

lower poaching rates.

Some difficulty has arisen in the identification of poached nests, due to inconsistentindicators. Tourist activity on the beach is the biggest problem and makes tracksand nests difficult to interpret. Some tourist groups will try to wipe out tracks, or willpretend to poach nests so that real poachers will not bother checking the nests.This kind of activity can influence the data collection, and several requests havebeen made to stop the detrimental tourist actions. Unintentional tourist activity canalso be misread as they will leave prints, and possibly stick marks (stick/poachedholes) if they are carrying walking sticks. Some nests have been observed withprints, yet they have still been recorded as nests because of the known tourist

activity from the night before.

Although the indicators of poaching cannot be certain without actual nestobservation and excavation to confirm a nest, we speculate that some indicatorsseem more plausible than others. Observation of a large cavity where the eggchamber could be a good indicator of poaching, as many poachers will not bothertrying to cover up the nest once they have poached it. Whenever an open cavity isobserved the nest is usually recorded as poached. Broken eggshells are also goodindicators as many poachers will eat a few of the eggs on site, and then take therest away with them. In contrast, holes from sticks and footprints (human or dog)are much more sceptical indicators. Footprints could be left by anybody walking by,

or more commonly, by tourists watching the turtle nest. Footprints do notnecessarily indicate poaching, but are usually present when other indicators arefound. Stick holes can be a good indicator, but it is also possible thatinexperienced poachers will simply miss the egg chamber when prodding with theirsticks, and thus will leave stick marks on actual nests.

Data analysis after his first phase of the expedition seems to be consistent withother data collected in the area, but due to the brief time period, it should only beconsidered as preliminary analysis. No definite trends can be established yet, butfurther analysis will be performed at the end of the season (December 2005). Afteranother full season in 2006, an annual report will be written by GVI including a full

summary of trends and tentative data analysis. However, the turtle feasibility studywill be conducted for another two years and final conclusions will only bedetermined once several nesting seasons can be compared.


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3. EBCP Resident Bird Project

Introduction

Although much research into the migratory avifauna of the New World has been

conducted in Costa Rica, there is still much to be learned about the natural historyof residential species. TheIn collaboration with Steven Furino at Waterloo University, Canada, GVI hasstarted this project which aims to accumulate data on the presence of resident andmigratory bird species and monitor their seasonal activity patterns in five differentsites around the Estacin Biolgica Cao Palma (EBCP), including the less studiedManicaria forest. This data will be shared with Steven Furino, who has designed aprogramme, WINGS, in order to make raw data available to fellow researchers andthe general public. In addition, the data may also provide the Ministry ofEnvironment and Energy (MINAE) with a management tool to assist in decisionmaking of conservation efforts for the Manicaria forests included in the Barro

Colorado Wildlife Refuge under which Cao Palma Biological Station belongs.

Method

The bird project is conducted using two main methods; Area Searches and PointCounts. The Point Count method consist of recording species seen or heard in aten minute period at predetermined Point Count stations within the five differentsites. This method allows researchers to use statistical techniques to assess thedensity of bird populations. Area Searches are conducted in a similar manner, butobservers are constantly looking and listening for birds throughout the site insteadof recording birds at 10 minute intervals at set point count stations. Area searchesare more useful for determining species composition of study sites.

Both methods are used in the same five sites around EBCP. These sites are:1. The RocK and Raphia trails found at EBCP, 400m and 2km respectively,

through secondary and Manicaria forest.2. Cerro Tortuguero, the highest local point (119m). It possesses a terra firme

forest different from the forest near the station. Its height also makes it afavourite spot for soaring raptors.

3. The Caribbean coast from the mouth of Laguna de Tortuguero to LagunoCuatro, a 5 km section of sand beach.

4. The canal Cao Palma.From the station to the entrance to the canal toLaguna Cuatro, a 5 km section of small canal.

5. Cleared areas including the grounds of EBCP, the grounds of Cabinas Vistaal Mar, and the barrio of San Francisco.

Point counts and Area Searches are conducted between dawn and 10AM. AreaSearches have also been conducted in the afternoon, between 3PM and 6PM.


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Results

After the initial ten weeks of data collection, we have compiled a species list of 129different birds. Birds have been positively identified based on audio and/or visualcues (seen and/or heard) and the most commonly recorded species vary per site(fig. 1). In Cleared Areas (CA) the most common bird recorded is the Keel-billed

Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), either seen on its own or seen and heard at thesame time. On the Rock & Raphia trails (RR), the Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa)is either heard or seen and heard at the same time and this is the same for theGreat Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) on the North Beach (NB). However, on theCerro (CT) and Cano Palma canal (CP) the Stripe-breasted Wren (Thryothorusthoracicus) is most commonly heard, with only one visual sighting on the canal.These observational variations represent the first phase of data collection, and areexpected to improve in accuracy as the expedition progresses.

Audio vs. Visual Detection of Most Common Species

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Figure 1: Graph showing the most common species recorded at each study site and how they wereidentified. CA = Cleared Areas, CT = Cerro Tortuguero, CP = Cano Palma, NB = North Beach, RR= Rock & Raphia trails.

Due to the unique characteristics of each study site, there are many variations inthe data collected between locations. Average times of Area Searches variedgreatly due to distance covered and difficulty of terrain. The survey at the Cerrowas generally conducted in the shortest amount of time, (mean = 50 minutes) andthe longest survey were the combined Rock and Raphia trails (mean = 2:40 hours).The total number of species observed at each study site varied dramatically. Mostspecies were recorded in Cleared Areas (n = 84), whereas the smallest amount ofspecies were recorded at the Cerro Tortuguero (n = 39).


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Total Number of Species Observed at Each Study

Location

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Figure 2: Graph of the total number of species observed at each study site based on combining

data from Point Counts and Area Search surveys.

The survey technique used during each survey seemed to have a slight affect onspecies composition. The average number of species recorded during PointCounts versus Area Searches was comparatively the same for most sites, butdiffers slightly on the Cerro Tortuguero and in the Cleared Areas (fig. 3). On theCerro Tortuguero more species are recorded during Point Count surveys (PointCounts = 8, Area Searches = 5), while more birds were recorded during AreaSearches in the Cleared Areas (Point Counts = 18, Area Searches = 23).


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Number of Species Observed During Point Counts and

Area Searches at Each Study Site

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Study Site

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Figure 3: Graph of the average number of species recorded at each site using two different survey

techniques, Point Counts and Area Searches.

Out of the species list of 129 birds, eight species were recorded at the various siteswhich have been classified as rare species. These species were not spotted often,but at least one was recorded at each study site, and some were recorded in up to

three study sites (Table 1).

Rare Species Observed Study SiteRecorded

Rufescent Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) CP, CA, RRMottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata) RRGreen Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) CA, CP

Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua) CT, CA

Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceus) RR, CP, CA

Green Breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) CA, NBSlaty-backed Forest Falcon (Micrastur mirandollei) CT

Fulvous-bellied Antpitta (Hylopezus dives) CT

Table 1: Table of the rare species found at different study sites


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Discussion

The bird monitoring surveys began in July of 2005 and will continue for severalyears. This preliminary set of data can not be taken as indications for trends oflocal bird species, as there are several factors that could affect data collection.Seasons can drastically change species composition of birds from location to

location. Birds that may seem rare after this first phase may become common inthe future due to their migratory patterns. Some habitats may support greaternumbers of species, and the species may even be more detectable in certainhabitats, eg. Cleared Areas. Distance traveled during surveys is also different fromsite to site and may have an affect on the data. However, analysis of the data willonly indicate trends after a much longer study period.

It is important to remember that this study is still in its initial phases and that alldata can not be seen as definite trends, but rather as a base for hypotheses forfuture data collection. After the first ten weeks of data collection, it seems that theCerro Tortuguero is the least species rich site for avifauna in the area, while the

Cleared Areas support the highest species richness. While this could continue tobe the case, it is very possible that after a few more phases or few more years, wewill see a completely different trend. From the data we have so far, the Cerroseems to be the least abundant site (fig. 2), but it also is one of the best sites forrecording rare species (Table 2). It may be that later in the season the Cerro willsee higher species richness. The Cleared Areas site remains to be best site forrelative abundance, diversity and rare species (fig.2 and 3, table 1). One of theaims of this project is to monitor the local Manicaria forest, represented by theRock and Raphia trails. While these sites are not particularly high in speciesrichness, they do offer a unique habitat that no other site offers.

The technique of using both Area Searches and Point Counts to conduct ourmonitoring surveys works as an effective indicator to determine the local birdpopulation. The two survey techniques seem to generally yield a similar specieslist, with the exception of the Cerro (CT) and Cleared Area (CA) sites. Surveys onthe Cerro have recorded more species during Point Counts. This may be due tothe terrain of the Cerro. Because the trail travels up the side of the hill/mountainthrough dense forest, it is not ideal for bird spotting. The best places to recordbirds are at the four Point Count stations which are established on the trail. Thesestations tend to be lookout points, and make a passing bird much more likely tosee. The Cleared Areas study site has the opposite trend. More species are seenduring Area Searches than during Point Counts. This may be due to the distance

covered on the surveys. There are only five Point Count stations along this studysite, but the site covers a lot of terrain between the stations, which are providingadditional data on other species encountered. During Point Count surveysobservers are not recording data during these long walks.

The rare species that have been identified so far have mostly been seen while outon surveys. The numbers of rare species is expected to increase as the projectgets more established. Not only will the surveys cover a larger period of time, but


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ideally the survey techniques will improve along with training of ExpeditionMembers and more birds should be identified based on hearing calls/songs as wellas by sight. The region of Tortuguero also offers great opportunities to find theserare species. Because it is a fairly remote part of Costa Rica and the habitat islargely undisturbed and connected with the Wildlife Refuge and a big National Park

in Nicaragua, many rare species can find refuge in the area. This is especially truefor the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua). While there are as little as 30 breedingpairs left in the entire country, there is thought to be at least eight of those pairshere in the Tortuguero area. Thus, while the great green macaw may be anextremely endangered species, it is much more common to us here in theTortuguero region than it would be to the rest of the country.


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4. ETHNO-BOTANICAL PROJECT

Introduction

The large number of different cultures present in the area of Tortuguero makes it aplace with very diverse knowledge and uses of different plants. However, the

increasing development and the constant increase in tourist activity has made theknowledge of plants in the area become threatened to the point of extinction. As astep towards future conservation, COTERC and GVI have established an ethno-botanical project with the aims of scientifically document this valuable knowledgeand increase the general awareness of medicinal plant uses in the Tortuguero areafor the benefit of future generations.

Method

To conduct the ethno-botany study, Expedition Members were taken out into thefield as researchers with one COTERC staff member and a local guide to learnabout the plants in the area and record all available data. Local guides ranged

from people with indigenous backgrounds, to tour guides who have been in thearea for a long time and know about the local flora. All data collection was done inthe field and recorded exactly as it was told. The aim of the project was to learnfrom local knowledge of the area, and not to dispute it in any way.

The local guides would inform the researchers what the plants were traditionallyused for, along with any other information they felt was relevant. Researcherscould ask questions, but argument was prohibited. If the guide felt comfortable indoing so, some pictures were taken of the plants themselves for the record.

Some samples of plants were collected during each interview. If a species could

not be identified, the sample was taken to the National University (UNA) andidentified by experts.

Results

Over the course of the initial 10-week phase, six local people were interviewed.Some guides were interviewed on several occasions while others were onlyinterviewed once. The six people interviewed were: Juan Torres, Henry AbrahamFlores, Denis Bermudez Venegas, Marcelino Siles Hernandez, Jose Manuel BetaRamirez, and Irma Philipa Garcia Espinoza. All guides demonstrated exceptionallocal knowledge, and most discussed the preparations of each plant as opposed toonly stating the purpose it was used for.

There were many plants identified and some very interesting data was collectedregarding their uses. Over 105 plant species were discussed over the course ofthese surveys. The uses for these plants mentioned ranged from treating seriousdiseases such as diabetes to plants which were good to use for wood. A selectionof plant species and their uses are included in table 1.


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Common Name: Guayaba

Scientific Name: Psidium guajavaUses: When mixed with lemon, and iguaya,this plant has the ability to take awaytiredness. Cook the ingredients together,then bathe in the mixture. Also, when theleaves are boiled, the tea can be used totreat diarrhoea.

Sources: Irma Philipa Garcia Espinoza,Denis Bermudez Venegas

Common Name: Heleconia/fatal attraction

Scientific Name: Heliconia latispatha

Uses: This plant is particularly useful foreyelash vipers. These snakes will wrap

themselves around the flower of this plantand wait for a hummingbird to come and tryto pollinate it. Then the viper will attack, andeat the hummingbird.

Source: Juan Torres- Torres

Common Name: Pilou

Scientific Name: Hieronyma alchorneoides

Uses: This is extremely good wood. Verystrong and sturdy. So strong, that you needto use a drill to get a nail into it. The roots of

this tree can be used as legs of chairs

Source: Juan Torres Torres

Common Name: CoconutScientific Name: Cocos nucifera

Uses: In order to treat asthma, take anunripe coconut and open it up. Put a halfkilo of sugar inside and bury it for 8 days.When you dig it up, the honey will be good totreat the symptoms. If you stop taking the

honey, the asthma will return. The plant isalso sometimes given to women to stopheavy bleeding. One last use is to help treatanaemia. Drink the milk heavily with somewater. The milk is not as useful if it is lightcoloured.

Sources: Henry Abraham Flores, JoseManuel Beta Ramirez, Irma Garcia Espinoza


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Common Name: Tismaya

Scientific Name: ?Uses: If a snake bites you, then you canmash the fruit and leaves up and rub into thewound. Supposedly this remedy will curethe victim

Source: Marcelino Siles Hernandez

Common Name: Viborana

Scientific Name: Asctepias curassavica

Uses: When the sap is cooked with milk,the mixture is good for adults with intestinalparasites. The sap is toxic, and that is why itis drunk with milk.

Source: Marcelino Siles Hernandez

Common Name: Rangallo, ua de tigre/ tiger clan

Scientific Name: Uncaria tomentosa

Uses: This plant holds a lot of water insideit. If you boil this water and drink it, it is goodfor your kidneys. This plant is interestingbecause it has more water than normalduring the time of the full moon.

Source: Jose Manuel Beta Ramirez

Common Name: Sahinillo

Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia sp.

Uses: This plant is good for Leishmanasis(mosquito parasite). If you put the sap ofthis plant on the wound, it will hurt verymuch, but will get rid of the parasite. Thesap is also very itchy to the touch, andpeccaries love to eat the plant.

Sources: Denis Bermudez Venegas, JoseManuel Beta Ramirez

Discussion

GVI and COTERC have collected extensive data on the medicinal uses of 105plant species based on interviews with six local guides. Only a selection of plantsand their uses have been included in this report. The future aim of this project is tocomplete the species list and produce a pamphlet/folder for distribution to theinterviewees as a potential additional source of income.


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5. ENGLISH LANGUAGE LESSONS

Introduction

The community of San Francisco is located at the foot of Cerro Tortuguero with apopulation of about 200. Most people are Nicaraguans or Costa Ricans who have

settled here in search of a better life. There is one primary school in the communityand about half the adult population have work, mostly in Tortuguero and tourism tosome extent.

In order to help with capacity building of San Francisco community members, GVIhas set up and begun to establish English Language lessons.

Aims

Local community training/capacity building

Increase sustainable revenue to the local communities

Generate local community commitment to environment conservation andsustainable development.

Method

In collaboration with a GVI staff member 6-9 Expedition Members prepare andconduct English lessons twice a week, teaching both adults and children. About 30adults and 15 children attend lessons every time and these groups are split intosmaller groups to allow as much individual attention as possible. Work sheets,flash cards, games and group work have been used as teaching tools and thesuccess of the program is reflected in the high number attending the lessons andtheir dramatic improvement in English.

The adult lessons commence at 18:30 in the local school house and run for 1hours. Attendance has been surprising high and we have a regular 20 studentsthat attend twice a week and then about 10 students that attend when possible dueto other commitments. The childrens lessons start at 17.00 and run for an hour.The focus of these lessons is to practice the English already learnt in schoolthrough the national curriculum and introduce some extra vocabulary that will helpwith future lessons at school.

Results

GVI has implemented the first adult English language programme in San

Francisco. GVI has also set up a programme for the children in San Francisco in

support of the national curriculum and local primary school.

All Expedition members have received fundamental trained in teachingEnglish as a foreign language from a qualified TESOL teacher to ensure ahigh standard of English instruction

Created a 20 week syllabus to assist teachers with lessons plans and toensure student development


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In the last lesson a handout with all the vocabulary and grammar wasproduced and supplied to all the students for revision over the inter-phaseperiod.

Discussion

The establishment of the English language programme has been met withenthusiasm and much interest from the San Francisco community members.Students are keen to learn English and thus increase personal capacity building inorder to improve chances of getting work or a better job within the thriving tourismof Tortuguero. The community of San Francisco are also generally interested inGVIs presence and work in the area and humbly receive the English lessons fromExpedition Members whilst getting to know them. The community also feelprivileged to receive attention and help from an international organisation, as nolocal hotels, NGOs or MINAE give them much consideration.

Lessons are currently for an hour and a half, twice a week, which will be reduced

as some students have implied that the lesson can be a little long.GVI plans to make use of a third building, once construction is complete, to reducethe noise in the two main teaching rooms as they are currently a little overcrowded. The adults lesson will be restricted completely to over 15s as we arecurrently getting other children attending with is effecting the development of theother members. In future, GVI plans to introduce homework for all students

We have aimed to send a regular set of Expedition Members for continuity and theprogram is headed by a TESOL teacher and two other staff members to ensure itscontinued development.


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Phase 1 Science Report Final

Documents

Transcript of Phase 1 Science Report Final