by Karl Pfeiffenberger, of Seward, AK
Piling our gear onto the small colectivo, we crammed ourselves into the small fold-out middle seats and started our bus ride to Piro. Along the bumpy ride, we passed cattle ranches, teak plantations, and thick primary forest. The ride got a bit more crazy as we approached the Piro research station, we encountered steep hills and river crossing. We all arrived slightly frazzled but excited for what was next to come.
We came to Piro to perform surveys of reforestation plots. We were trapping dung beetles and analyzing their diversity among various plots around Osa Conservation’s Piro Research Station. We spent the first couple of days here getting our equipment ready and taking in the wildlife. Coati’s frequented our camp and Scarlet Macaws flew overhead squawking all day. We were also able to interact with and learn from the various scientists who were constantly milling around the station which was a great opportunity for us.
Once we had prepared all of our equipment, we started setting the traps. The first few we set were on former farmland that was being reforested in different ways. We were looking here to see which reforestation strategy is the most effective in creating a healthy forest. Walking through the grasslands was difficult. By the time we got there, the sun was already high in the sky, so it was HOT. And because the reforestation efforts had only been started a year and a half ago, there was not much shade to be seen. We got through these plots as quick as possible, each drinking at least a liter of water.
Walking through the grasslands looking for our research plots.
We then transitioned into the primary forest plots. Here, the sun was no problem at all. The tall Ajo and Ficus trees provided us with all the shade we could askk for as we watched our feet for Fer-de-lances on the forest floor. Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys swung overhead as we set these plots deep within the primary forest surrounding the Research Station. Some of the traps were set just off trail, while others required bushwacking 50 meters or so off trail. The biodiversity of the rainforest was on display as we walked past trees hundreds of years old, viewed Anoles skirting throughout the leaf litter, and listened as Baird’s Trogons called in the distance. When we were done with these, we were all exhausted and quickly retreated back to our camp for academics and sleep.
The next day, we collected the traps that we had set out and took our samples back to the lab for identification. One of our instructors, Oscar, is a very talented identifier and was able to identify just about any beetle in less than a minute. We split into two groups. Half of the group went to set more traps, while the rest of us stayed back to identify. For the next few days we traded on and off, one group setting or collecting traps while the others were identifying the bugs. The data that we collect here is going to be used in the future to assess the progression and success of the reforestation efforts. Being in this environment, surrounded by rainforest, truly immersed in science and engaged in our project is a truly amazing feeling. After 5 days of working with dung beetles in Piro, we again crammed into the Collectivo and took the bumpy ride back to Puerto Jimenez to move on to our next project. After a day in Puerto Jimenez, we got on a boat and took a smooth ride across the Golfo Dulce to Saladero, where we would be staying for the next week.
Dung beetles we collected ready to be identified.
Here we were again working with Osa Conservation, this time to do a preliminary study of a Coral Reef system so that further monitoring can be conducted in the future. Our camp was situated along the beautiful beach of Saladero, and we could watch the sunset over the Osa Peninsula every night.
The beautiful Sunset over the Osa Peninsula became our nightly view.
Our research here was super interesting. We were swimming around the coral reef system counting fish, observing the substrate, and testing the roughness of the reef all to gauge the resilience (ability to avoid or come back from major ecosystem changes) of the reef and to gather the base data for the monitoring project. Kayaking out to the reefs everyday amongst fish, dolphins and sea turtles to then proceed to swim with them was amazing.
Porites Lobota Coral, the white sploches are bleaching due to high temperature water, this was one of the indicators we were using for our research!
Over the week we collected data on three transects in the reef system, sustaining only a few jellyfish stings. Mica’s free diving skills shined as she swam the transects looking for fish while I took many trips up and down from the bottom relaying data to Gordon and Ale, who were often supporting our efforts on kayaks, making sure that everything was running smoothly.
In between class and research, we never hesitated to take in the beautiful views that Saladero has to offer. Looking out over the water towards the Osa Peninsula, one would see dolphins, herons, and frigatebirds all taking advantage of the unique tropical fjord ecosystem that makes up the Golfo Dulce. This formation (a 200 meter deep interior with a 50 meter deep entrance) provides safety for many aquatic animal species, making it an extremely biodiverse location.
We also saw many terrestrial animals around camp. In the mornings it was not uncommon for White-faced Capuchins to visit the trees above our camp, throwing down coconut husks and shaking branches. Additionally, I watched a Little Blue Heron over the course of our stay as it frequented our beach looking for fish in the shallow waters of low tide. I even saw him catch one once, its head plunging in and out of the water eventually rising with a small, silvery fish flopping in its beak.
After a ton of bananas, playing soccer on the beach, and plenty of time in the water, we were all sad to have to leave Saladero. However, we are back in Piro now continuing our dung beetle research! I am super excited to keep learning about and experiencing the biodiversity and natural history that this amazing place has to offer.
Megan celebrates a successful day of research at the Coral Reefs!