Herbarium finished!
Aside from the usual rainforest protection and research activities, this year was also marked by improvements to infrastructure. We completed the construction of an observation tower and a garage, made improvements to the road near the research center, and recently added a herbarium!
Onderzoek naar boomsoorten
For years, we have been researching the biodiversity of animals in our reserve, and with success: more than 1000 animal species have been observed in the areas we protect. Of course, the wealth of flora is also great, but more difficult to map. Since 2023, we have therefore been working with Utrecht University on a long-term project to map the diversity and development of plants. For the time being, we are focusing mainly on tree species. In existing forests, we are creating 50 × 50 meter research plots, in which we measure and identify the trees. This allows us to compare different forest types based on tree diversity, tree size, and the number of trees. This enables us to assess the long-term impact of past human land use on biodiversity. We are also conducting scientific research to determine the best strategy for reforestation.
The importance of a herbarium
During these studies, it is essential that we are able to correctly identify the tree species. This involves hundreds of species from dozens of plant families, which is a huge task! This is why the herbarium is such an important addition to our research capabilities. A herbarium is a dried collection of plant material. Here, we can dry and preserve plant parts such as leaves, flowers, fruits, and bark for long periods of time. The collection keeps very precise records of where each piece of plant material was collected. In addition, the herbarium will be equipped with a photo corner for the creation of a digital collection and, for example, microscopes, binoculars, and literature to identify species.
Thorough research for the long term
Thanks to the herbarium, we can thoroughly map the diversity of trees, and later all plant species, in the reserve. We are also creating a collection and reference work that will help us inventory the plots to be studied and reforested. Initial contacts have already been made with other Costa Rican researchers, as there is a lot of missing information about the flora of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Our collection will therefore certainly strengthen ties with other research institutions. And who knows, it might get even better and we might one day find a new plant species in the reserve! Just a few years ago, a new tree species was described; a tree we sat under every week as we enjoyed the view from the viewpoint in the reserve.
Thanks to the support of our donors, we were able to make this important improvement to our research capabilities. This will enable us to conduct even better and more extensive research and continue to protect the rainforest and all its inhabitants. Although the construction is largely complete, there is still a lot to be done in terms of interior design. We hope to be able to provide a new update on this soon.
Help us to protect rainforest!