BIODIVERSITY INITIATIVE IN CENTRAL AMERICA
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The latest initative of the MyCOE program focused on using geography to address issues related to biodiversity in Central America. After a competitive selection process, 12 teams of students and their mentors, from six countries, were chosen to carry out research projects which:
- Used geographic technologies such as GIS and GPS
- Incorporated activities that responded to local threats to biodiversity
- Addressed local areas with biological significance
As part of the initiative, participants attended a workshop in Panama during January 2008 where they learned about project design, research techniques, and methods of data analysis. In addition, students gained access to software, data, tutorials, and mentoring, provided by MyCOE sponsors and organizers. Each team also received a modest stipend to conduct a research project of 3 to 6 month duration and to attend the workshop. The Biodiversity Initiative in Central America was made possible through the support of USAID, USGS, ESRI and other public and private organizations. |
Instructor Dr. Sierra (center, at computer), demonstrates geographic analytical techniques for conservation applications to workshop participants in the lab at the Technological University of Panama.
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About the teams
Participating students are citizens of the countries in which they work and are enrolled or completing studies at a university or similar educational institution (undergraduate or graduate). Participants were selected on the basis of their long-term potential to contribute to the region’s biodiversity issues.
Local support
Local and regional organizations proposed projects in response to the criteria below and worked in conjunction with students through appointed mentors.
Projects
Research on the Floral Components of the Peñas Blancas Protected Area
 COLOMBIA
Luís Gabriel López Herrera and Francisco Alberto Rubiano
Ingeniería Forestal, Universidad del Tolima
Mentor: Noemy Medina Guzman
Corporación Ambientalista Bosque Montano
Summary and Project
Inventory and Morphometric Analysis of the
Barrancabermeja Marshlands using GIS and Remote Sensing
 COLOMBIA
Pedro Agustín Arguello Vargas
Ingeniería Ambiental y Saneamiento
Universidad de la Paz
Mentor: Luís Molina López
Grupo de Estudios Urbano-Regionales del
Magdalena Medio Universidad de la Paz
Summary and Project
Using Coffee Plantations as Biological Corridors in the
District of San Sebastián de Palmitas, Medellín, Colombia
 COLOMBIA
Javier Alfonso Racero-Casarrubia
Biología y Ciencias Ambientales
Universidad de Córdoba
Mentor: Jorge Luís Vásquez Muñoz
Fundación Grupo HTM
Summary and Project
Participative Ecological Restoration of the Amatea Reserve
 COLOMBIA
Alejandro Alberto Castaño Gallego
and Andres Sarmiento
Administración del Medio Ambiente
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira
Mentor: Isabel Bravo Baeza
Fundación Amatea
Summary and Project
Analysis of the Diversity of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Microalgae based on the Longitudinal Gradient and Chemical Variables of a River in the Haina Watershed
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Litay Amelia Ramos Pimentel
Biología, Universidad de Santo Domingo
Mentor: Bienvenido Santana Ferraras
Summary
Establishing a Reference Collection and Information System For Biological Diversity and Conservation
 GUATEMALA
Mayra Lisseth Maldonado Montufar
Biología, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Mentor: Enio B. Cano
Museo de Historia Natural de Guatemala
Summary and Project
Species Richness of Medium and Large Mammals in
Deciduous Lower Forest Fragments in the Huasteca Plains
 MEXICO
Blanca Margarita Vazquez Villa
Geografía
Mentor: Dr. Humberto Reyes Hernández
Universidad Autónoma de San Luís Potosí
Summary and Project
Diagnostic Study of Mangrove Degradation in the Coastal Zone of Xcalak-Mahahual, Quintana Roo, México
 MEXICO
Marina Hirales Cota
Recursos Naturales y Desarrollo Rural
Mentor: Dr. Julio Espinoza Avalos
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
Summary and Project
Illegal Extraction of Marine Fauna and the Danger of Extinction of Marine Turtles in the Municipality of San Juan del Sur
 NICARAGUA
Raquel López Ramos and
Ana Vega Guillen
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua
Mentor: Alfonso Jirón García
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua
Summary and Project
Study of Tree Biodiversity in Public Urban Spaces in Principal Thoroughfares in Districts II, IV and VI of the Municipality of Managua
 NICARAGUA
Francisco Torrez
Ingeniería en Recursos Naturales, UNA
Mentor: Dra. Marcia Mendieta López
Universidad Nacional Agraria
Summary and Project
Establishing a Comprehensive Geographic Information System For Cocobolo and the Mamoni River Watershed
 PANAMA
Emilio Espino
Biologia, Universidad de Panamá
Mentor: Michael Shiven Roy
CREA
(Conservation through
Research Education and Action)
Summary and Project
Forest Species Native to the District of Santiago de Veraguas
 PANAMA
Natalia D. Tejedor Flores
Ingeniería Ambiental
Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá
Mentor: Teobaldo Hernández
Pronatura
Summary and Project
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