Long Term Monitoring Programs
Large Mammal Monitoring Program
Mammal survey takes place in four transects throughout the Tortuguero area. Survey consists of weekly walks along each transect in which the team records any mammal detection encountered. Mammal detections include tracks, trails, feces, foraging, nests, or visual observations. The surveys alternate between morning and afternoon start times in order to cover the peak activity of diurnal mammals. This project began in 2007 and has been running with more consistency since 2012. The purpose is to estimate community composition and species richness in the area as well as evaluate habitat associations of resident species. In addition, the study sites provide a gradient of human activity, which enables the impact of anthropogenic activities on the mammal community to also be examined.
Great Green Macaw Abundance Survey
Great green macaw (Ara ambiguus) survey began in 2017. The purpose of this study is to determine the abundance in the Tortuguero area, monitor the population over time, and identify local migration patterns of this endangered species. The great green macaw is seeing a recent resurgence to the Tortuguero area. Since 2013, sightings of macaws in the area have gone from sporadic events to being present throughout the year – evidence of the formation of a local population. Great green macaw survey takes place at five locations in Caño Palma, San Francisco, and Tortuguero. Morning and afternoon surveys take place weekly at each site with both surveys being completed on the same day at one site. Surveys consist of recording any visual or audio observations of macaws. The behavior of the macaws is recorded, as well as the direction in which they travel and the number of individuals observed. When present, the scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is also recorded, as their local numbers are also increasing.
Great green macaw (Ara ambiguus) survey began in 2017. The purpose of this study is to determine the abundance in the Tortuguero area, monitor the population over time, and identify local migration patterns of this endangered species. The great green macaw is seeing a recent resurgence to the Tortuguero area. Since 2013, sightings of macaws in the area have gone from sporadic events to being present throughout the year – evidence of the formation of a local population. Great green macaw survey takes place at five locations in Caño Palma, San Francisco, and Tortuguero. Morning and afternoon surveys take place weekly at each site with both surveys being completed on the same day at one site. Surveys consist of recording any visual or audio observations of macaws. The behavior of the macaws is recorded, as well as the direction in which they travel and the number of individuals observed. When present, the scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is also recorded, as their local numbers are also increasing.
Snake Ecology and Morphology
Snake surveys are conducted once a week along one of three transects in the Tortuguero area. The survey consists of night walks in which snakes are located, captured, and data collected. In addition, any snake found on other surveys or around base also included in the database. Snake data consists species identification, age, and sex determination, and body and head measurements. Once data is collected, the snake is released in the exact location it was found. The purpose of this study is to examine the species composition in the area. In 2014, the project was expanded to include PIT tagging, allowing morphometric changes to be tracked over time in recaptured snakes. This addition to the project also enables the ability to determine population sizes of the more common species in the area.
Snake surveys are conducted once a week along one of three transects in the Tortuguero area. The survey consists of night walks in which snakes are located, captured, and data collected. In addition, any snake found on other surveys or around base also included in the database. Snake data consists species identification, age, and sex determination, and body and head measurements. Once data is collected, the snake is released in the exact location it was found. The purpose of this study is to examine the species composition in the area. In 2014, the project was expanded to include PIT tagging, allowing morphometric changes to be tracked over time in recaptured snakes. This addition to the project also enables the ability to determine population sizes of the more common species in the area.
Caiman census
Caiman census began in 2009, with surveys being conducted more regularly starting in 2012. The purpose of the study is to gather baseline data on the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) distribution, age, and abundance in Caño Palma. Furthermore, caimans can act as ecological indicators. Better understanding their status can provide insight to the health of the rest of the ecosystem. Surveys run once a week in the evenings on a small motor boat. The team is equipped with flashlights to detect caiman via their orange eye shine.
As a side note; performing caiman census outings has provided the opportunity for the collection of data on the presence and distribution of the Agami heron (Agamia agami) a nocturnal heron. This data has been collected since 2016.
As a side note; performing caiman census outings has provided the opportunity for the collection of data on the presence and distribution of the Agami heron (Agamia agami) a nocturnal heron. This data has been collected since 2016.
Marine Turtle Monitoring & Tagging Program
The marine turtle program consists of two surveys, night patrol and morning census, each of which are conducted daily from March-November. Night patrol consists of at least one team walking the beach at night in search of nesting females. Once encountered, the team will conduct an egg count, measure her body, and perform a body check. The nest will be triangulated for further monitoring and lastly, if the female is not already tagged, the team will apply tags to the turtle, giving her a unique identification. The team remains with the turtle until she returns to sea, ensuring she is not harmed by poachers. Morning census consists of monitoring the nests that are triangulated by the night patrol teams, recording any turtle activity missed during the night, placing mesh on nests to protect against dog predation, and excavating nests at the end of their incubation period. Running since 2004, the main goals of the program are to research and collect data on nesting sea turtles, monitor the health of nesting sea turtles, educate the public about sea turtle ecology and conservation, and deter poaching through a presence on the beach.
Habitat Usage and Distribution of the Neotropical River Otter
The Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) is listed by the IUCN as a near threatened species and up until 2015 it was considered data deficient. This study began in 2017 with the purpose of determining preferred habitat components of the Neotropical river otter and assessing population size and distribution in the Tortuguero area. Surveys are conducted by kayak in which teams search along the canal shores for signs of otters – primarily scat! Several physical parameters, such as canal depth, log diameter, and canopy cover, are measured at each otter scat in order to determine which habitats the otters prefer and should ultimately be protected to preserve this protected species.
The Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) is listed by the IUCN as a near threatened species and up until 2015 it was considered data deficient. This study began in 2017 with the purpose of determining preferred habitat components of the Neotropical river otter and assessing population size and distribution in the Tortuguero area. Surveys are conducted by kayak in which teams search along the canal shores for signs of otters – primarily scat! Several physical parameters, such as canal depth, log diameter, and canopy cover, are measured at each otter scat in order to determine which habitats the otters prefer and should ultimately be protected to preserve this protected species.
Plant Phenology
Plant phenology occurs within the first ten days of each month. This survey consists of determining the percentage of tree canopies that are experiencing different phenophases (fruiting, flowering, new leaves, or dropped leaves). Trees will often be experiencing more than one phenophase at a time. There are two transects, one in the CPBS forest and a second along the canal, in which 160 trees per transect are labeled and examined each month. This project began in 2007 and has been running consistently since 2013. The purpose of the study is to obtain a better understanding of the tree species in the area, identify phenophase patterns, and compare phenophase patterns for the same species within different habitats (canal vs. forest).
Tent-Making Bats Ecology
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Tent-making bats modify leaves by chewing the veins so that the leaves fall into particular architectures for the bats to utilize. The tents are used as protection from rain and predators, and one group of bats will have several active tents at any given time. Beginning in 2015, the purpose of this study is to examine tent-making bat activities before, during, and after the construction of a concrete path in the Cerro and how the bats react to the introduction of tourism here. Since 2017, there has been an addition of surveys in Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge. Weekly surveys of these two transects consist of monitoring tents for signs of bat activity, such as remnants of food, feces, or direct observations of bats.
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Shorebird Monitoring
Shorebird survey occurs weekly at two transects along Playa Norte. The survey consists of walking along the transects and recording all birds encountered, as well as anthropogenic disturbances (dogs, fisherman, etc.). The purpose of this study is to track patterns and changes in the resident and migrant birds’ usage of Playa Norte. This project began in 2013 with the addition of a second transect in 2015.
Forest Plot Monitoring
Neotropical forests have exceptional biodiversity and are often understudied. They are impacted by a multitude of factors including climate change, upstream agriculture, local and national socioeconomics, and anthropogenic impacts broadly.
In order to understand diversity in the lowland palm dominated wet forest in the Cano Palma area, comparative one hectare forest plots are set up based on modified Smithsonian methodology. While initially set up for incoming interns from VANIER College, Montreal, Canada, these plots are now utilized by others to explore other taxon. This annual survey takes place during January and February.
In order to understand diversity in the lowland palm dominated wet forest in the Cano Palma area, comparative one hectare forest plots are set up based on modified Smithsonian methodology. While initially set up for incoming interns from VANIER College, Montreal, Canada, these plots are now utilized by others to explore other taxon. This annual survey takes place during January and February.
Community Program and Environmental Education
Environmental, and specifically youth education, have been important to the station since its creation. In the nearby town of San Francisco, the station runs environmental education classes, a conservation club, and offers tutoring and reading activities for the local elementary school children. There are also regular trips into the field for hands-on learning through a program called the Conservation Club. The majority of these activities take place in the community library which is close to the school. Additionally, our environmental education program engages students in regular school classes. There is an ongoing evolution in the programs which take place.
Climate
Anthropogenic climate change is having impacts on flora and fauna in all ecosystems across the globe. Long term collection of weather data can be used to assess climate trends. At this site, weather data collection began in 2002, with systematic data being collected since 2004. This long term data allows for assessment of climate trends and is used comparatively against other site survey data. This program involves the collection of weather data twice daily. The data collected includes canal depth and flow direction, rainfall and cloud cover. A data logger also collects information on temperature, relative humidity, and dew point
Anthropogenic climate change is having impacts on flora and fauna in all ecosystems across the globe. Long term collection of weather data can be used to assess climate trends. At this site, weather data collection began in 2002, with systematic data being collected since 2004. This long term data allows for assessment of climate trends and is used comparatively against other site survey data. This program involves the collection of weather data twice daily. The data collected includes canal depth and flow direction, rainfall and cloud cover. A data logger also collects information on temperature, relative humidity, and dew point
Boat Survey
TBoat traffic from ecotourism and local traffic has impacts on the health of ecosystems. Since 2009 and until 2017, this survey has allowed the station to monitor changes in boat traffic to Caño Palma. The survey took place once weekly. All boats passing the station were recorded. Data includes direction, motor type, number of passengers, name and/or license plate number, and speed of the boat as it approaches and leaves the station. Currently, this survey is not active. Those interested in the data or continuing this survey can email – conservation@coterc.org
TBoat traffic from ecotourism and local traffic has impacts on the health of ecosystems. Since 2009 and until 2017, this survey has allowed the station to monitor changes in boat traffic to Caño Palma. The survey took place once weekly. All boats passing the station were recorded. Data includes direction, motor type, number of passengers, name and/or license plate number, and speed of the boat as it approaches and leaves the station. Currently, this survey is not active. Those interested in the data or continuing this survey can email – conservation@coterc.org
Resident & Migrant Bird Monitoring
- Originally established in partnership with the National Museum of Costa Rica (1991-1994), this program is run by Costa Rica Bird Observatories (CRBO). This bird banding program includes mist net with searches and migration counts completed in several areas surrounding the station. The frequency of visits through throughout the year is managed by CRBO, averaging one a month.