Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GVI Costa Rica Coastal Rainforest and Wildlife Research Expedition
GVI Costa Rica Coastal Rainforest and Wildlife Research Expedition
Research Expedition
Produced by
David Jones – Field Coordinator
Rebeca Chaverri - Country Director
Diogo Verissimo – Expedition Staff
Sara Calçada – Expedition Staff
Richard Bull – Expedition Staff
Wing Tsui – Expedition Staff
Richard Phillips – Expedition Intern
And
Web page:
http://www.gvi.co.uk
http://gvicostarica.blogspot.com
Table of Contents
List of Tables
Table 2-1 Breakdown of main results for phase and season .......................................6
Table 4-1 Summary of Phase 083 results for Playa Norte and Nesting Season so far
...................................................................................................................................10
Table 6-2 Most commonly recorded species by class for phase ...............................16
Table 8-1 Boat use restriction on Caño Palma, Tortuguero, Costa Rica. ..................19
Table 8-2 General Canal boat impact data for phase ................................................20
Table 8-3 Average canal usage for phase by ACTo time restriction..........................20
List of Figures
Figure 4-1 Nest Status as determined by morning census Jan – September 2008...12
Figure 6-1 Most commonly recorded species for phase (recorded ≥75% of days) ....17
Figure 6-2 Some incidental records for the phase: green iguana, Neotropical river
otter and eyelash palm pitviper ..................................................................................18
In July 2005, GVI established the Costa Rica expedition based at Estación BIológica
Caño Palma (EBCP), Tortuguero.
The biological station is located in the southern section of the Barra del Colorado
Wildlife Refuge (BCWR) directly to the north of Tortuguero National Park (TNP). The
area of operation for the expedition covers both TNP and the BCWR; both of which
are included in the Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo). The area consists of a
collection of waterways running through Caribbean lowland rainforest. The coastal
habitats are generally similar in type throughout the area of operation with small
variation in boarding habitats, width of the beach and quantity and type of debris
found on the beach. The forest habitats vary more considerably with several distinct
habitats being present. Altitudinal differences of a couple metres have a large effect
on both habitat and species composition in the area. Lower areas, such as those
found around the station, tend have large areas of flooded forest whereas the drier
areas associated to the National Park tend to only be submerged during times of
flooding.
The EBCP was purchased in 1991, by the Canadian Organization for Tropical
Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC). Prior to GVI’s arrival a number of
studies had been undertaken, looking at various species and habitats but no longer
term monitoring projects had been possible. GVI Costa Rica’s volunteer resource
made long-term studies possible and needs were assessed and partnerships
sourced. Currently, GVI Costa Rica is working closely with MINAE, COTERC and the
local community of San Francisco, as well as being a member of Alianza para Baulas
del Caribe (ABC) and Red de las Tortugas marinas.
This report is a quarterly review of the data collected in the fourth volunteer cycle of
2008 (Phase 084: October 3rd - December 12th). In addition to those listed, GVI
Costa Rica is also supplying resources and personnel to assist COTERC in a Large
Mammal Monitoring Programme inside the BCWR. Further details of GVI Costa Rica
research programmes and all protocols can be found at
http://gvicostarica.blogspot.com.
2 Jaguar Predation of Marine Turtles Study
GVI Costa Rica has been conducting this research by request of the Costa Rican
Ministry for the Environment and Energy (MINAE) since July 2005. The aim of this
project is to determine whether predation of marine turtles by jaguars (Panthera
onca) in TNP is having an impact on the marine turtle populations.
Data collection for this project involves documenting evidence of jaguar predation of
marine sea turtles. On a weekly basis, a survey team walk 14.5 miles on the beach
of TNP. Information is collected, such as, the number and location of predated
turtles and the presence / absence of turtle and jaguar tracks per half mile on the
beach. Other general information is also recorded, including weather and sand
conditions on the beach.
2.1 Results
Eight surveys were conducted this phase, covering 116 miles; making 246.5 miles for
the season (beginning July).
Jag sightings 4
To complement the Predation study, GVI Costa Rica began using camera traps at
the end of 2006. The aim is identify and estimate the abundance of jaguars along the
beach of TNP. Surveys are conducted between one and three times a week by a
small research team. Camera traps are set up in the forest that borders the beach, in
locations where there is evidence of jaguar presence.
The infrared and heat sensitive cameras are checked by a field team on a regular
basis to ensure the cameras are working correctly and to retrieve any photographs
that have been taken. These photographs are developed and analysed by the team
back at the research station.
3.1 Results
Site Site
Species Site Two Site Four
One Three
Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) 0 1 0 0
Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) 1 0 0 0
Central American spider monkey
(Ateles geoffroyi) 0 0 0 0
Collared peccary (Tayassu
tajacu) 0 0 0 0
Gray four-eyed opossum
(Philander opossum) 0 0 0 0
Great curassow (Crax rubra) 0 0 0 0
Jaguar (Panthera onca) 0 0 0 0
Mantled howler monkey (Alouatta
palliata) 0 0 0 0
Margay (Leopardus wiedii) 0 0 0 0
Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus
novemcinctus) 0 0 0 0
Northern racoon (Procyon lotor) 0 0 0 0
Paca (Agouti paca) 0 0 0 0
Red brocket deer (Mazama
americana) 1 1 0 0
Tayra (Eira barbara) 0 0 0 0
White-faced capuchin (Cebus
capucinus) 0 0 0 0
White-lipped peccary (Tayassu
pecari) 0 0 0 0
White-nosed coati (Nasua narica) 0 0 0 0
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) 0 0 0 0
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=39758387678#/group.php?gid=397583876
78: View many of our camera trap images and much more.
This programme has been managed by GVI Costa Rica since 2007 and is carried out
in partnership with COTERC. The aim is to develop a more detailed understanding of
and promote the conservation of the nesting marine turtles that utilise our local
beach, Playa Norte. Playa Norte (north of the beach at Tortuguero) receives up to
four species of endangered and critically endangered marine turtles: green (Chelonia
mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and
the occasional loggerhead (Caretta caretta).
The beach is monitored by teams to record the spatial and seasonal distribution of
nests, the level of illegal poaching, hatchling emergence and hatchling success rates.
Information on the re-emergence of turtles to the nesting beach and / or migration
between beaches is also collected and recorded. Human Impact data are recorded
to determine if this has any impact on the nesting patterns of the turtles.
There are a number of different elements within this project, depending on the stage
of the season. During the nesting season, the beach is monitored each night in order
to record details of the nesting turtles and nests (including the location of the nest
and number of eggs) and to ‘tag’ the female nesting turtles. A morning census is
conducted each day to determine the status of the recent nests and record any new
tracks of nesting turtles. The beach is cleaned at the relevant locations and times to
promote increased hatching success.
Hatchling tracks are monitored and recorded and nest excavations are carried out
(once the nest has hatched or is past the date it was due to hatch) to determine the
success rate of the nest and record any relevant evidence on why eggs have not
hatched.
4.1 Results
During phase 084, 63 morning surveys and 36 night surveys were completed. A total
of 3120 miles were walked on morning surveys and night surveys together this
season for a total of 2464 hours of survey.
This phase we have recorded the presence of green and hawksbill turtles nesting on
Playa Norte. For the season, we have also recorded leatherback turtles.
Table 4-1 Summary of Phase 083 results for Playa Norte and Nesting Season so far
Status of nests found this phase 72% Natural; 14% Unknown; 14% Poached
Status of nests found this season 80% Natural; 9% Unknown; 11% Poached
Number of nests recorded this phase Dc: 0; Cm: 43; Ei: 2; Cc: 0
Number of nests recorded this season Dc: 90; Cm: 436; Ei: 27; Cc: 0
Hour with the most encountered turtles this phase 23H00 - 00h00
Hour with the most encountered turtles this season 23h00 - 00h00
Number of hatched nests this season Dc: 15; Cm: 114; Ei: 4; Cc: 0
Number of hatchlings this season Dc: 1360; Cm: 11689; Ei: 492; Cc: 0
Unknown
Natural
Full 2008 season reports for leatherbacks, greens and hawksbills will be available in
2009.
Alianza para las baulas del Caribe (ABC) / Caribbean Leatherback Alliance
www.latinamericanseaturtles.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&
Itemid=143
The partnership with Steven Furino of Waterloo University, Canada has been
established since GVI Costa Rica’s arrival in 2005, the current protocols have been
in place since January 2007. The aim is to provide evidence to help develop an
understanding of how resident and migratory bird species use lowland wet forests
and, in particular, the canals that are associated with these forests.
We are responsible for collecting population data on resident and migratory birds on
canals in the TNP and the BCWR. In order to do this we monitor and record the bird
species found on three different canal at weekly intervals. Thirty target species of
birds have been identified and standard research methods are employed, such as
standard point counts and area search survey techniques, to ensure the data can be
used alongside that collected in other locations by other research teams. Surveys are
usually carried out first thing in the morning and involve a team of five or six canoeing
through the relevant area, recording any sightings and sounds of the target species.
5.1 Results
Caño Palma 7
Caño Chiquero 7
Caño Harold 7
Caño Palma 14
AQTs 14
Caño Chiquero 8
Caño Harold 15
All canal 22
Key
Uncommonly recorded
Uncommonly recorded on indicated canal
GVI Costa Rica has been recording incidental sightings of animals at EBCP since
January 2007. The aim of the study is to maintain a formal, accurate record of the
daily occurrences of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians sighted within the
property boundaries of the station. By keeping a daily record of the occurrence of
species, we can determine which species are seen most frequently and determine if
there any changes in the frequency of sightings of certain species over time.
6.1 Results
50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70
Great Kiskadee
White-collared Manakin
Olive-backed Euphonia
Green Iguana
Montezuma Oropendola
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
7.1 Results
GVI Costa Rica has been assisting MINAE by documenting and monitoring the
impact of tourism on our local canal since January 2006. On a weekly basis the canal
traffic along Caño Palma is monitored between 06:00 and 18:00. As possible, all
days of the week are surveyed throughout the phase. Two personnel conduct
surveys, each taking a six-hour shift, between either 06:00 and 12:00 or 12:00 and
18:00.
The number and type of boats are recorded, alongside any other evidence, such as
the number of tourists and the type of engine in line with information recorded for
visitors to TNP canals. The restrictions of use for Caño Palma are outlined below:
Table 8-1 Boat use restriction on Caño Palma, Tortuguero, Costa Rica.
06:00 – 08:00 10
08:00 – 10:00 10
10:00 – 12:00 10
12:00 – 14:00 10
14:00 – 16:00 10
16:00 - 18:00 10
8.1 Results
Table 8-3 Average canal usage for phase by ACTo time restriction
44%
Total number of non-tourist
boats
56%
Tortuga Lodge 2
Samoa Lodge 6
Pachira Lodge 5
Lodge
Laguna Lodge 6
Evergreen 3
DE's 78
Turtle Beach
52
Lodge
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Number of Records
Figure 8-3 Total number of boat by time for phase
80
60
40
20
0
06:00 – 08:00 08:00 – 10:00 10:00 – 12:00 12:00 – 14:00 14:00 – 16:00 16:00 – 18:00
Local capacity building: GVI Costa Rica are involved with the local school in San
Francisco village, teaching basic English to children and adults within the local
community of San Francisco. An exchange also takes place with colleagues from a
local tourist lodge (seasonal), providing an opportunity for all to practice their
language skills in an informal setting and learn more about the different cultures of
Costa Rica.
With the arrival of Vivian and Daniel in Phase 083 we were able to give far more
consistent classes in San Francisco and together with Sami Abdelmalik (COTERC
Intern) returned to teaching Children’s English, Adults English and Environmental
Education classes on a regular basis.
Adult classes were held two nights a week at the beginning of the phase, moving to
three times by request of the students, of which there were 10 regulars. Children’s
classes were also held three times a week, directly after school classes and once a
week Environmental Education was taught.
Two Community Events were held as usual; the first included a play performed by
the EMs and focused on gardens and ecosystems to introduce the idea of a school
garden to the children. The second focused on the water cycle and water pollution
and saw the completion of the new school garden.
Vivian and Daniel have also been invited to attend school council meeting and
participate in several community activities, forging a tremendously positive
relationship between the biological station and the local community.
Jardin del Paraíso: Notes from the field – unveiling the new Community Garden
Plays, paintings, games and gardens: Notes from the field – Community Event
10 Activities and Final Summary
Together with the two Community Events in San Francisco this phase, Vivian, one of
our Community Interns, joined the San Francisco Women’s Football team and helped
to arrange a pre-season friendly against our female EMs.
The same day saw our social of the year (pictured) with the researchers from the
CCC before they packed up at the end of the marine turtle season.
As the very wet season set in there was work to be done on our local canal (for more
details follow this link: Clearing Caño Palma) before we eventually we had to
evacuate base due to flooding. Luckily for us, by this time the CCC research
assistants had departed back to their home nations, so we were able to experience
conditions at their, much drier, research station.
Throughout the phase, we continued to support the Weaving for Nature project from
Widecast, raising over $100. The project utilises waste plastic bags to make
beautiful, long-lasting designs of bags, purses and more. Find out more here:
http://latinamericanseaturtles.org/blog/?p=14
www.gvicostarica.blogspot.com/2008/09/weaving-for-nature.html
The end of the phase saw the departure of are two-time intern Richard Phillips, we’d
like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his hard work over his nine months
with us and wish him all the best for the future. Read more here: Sorrowful
Goodbyes.
And finally, don’t forget to check out www.careersabroad.co.uk where you will find
out about job opportunities with us (and partners) first, because none of this is
possible without our dedicated staff and volunteers.