monkeys | Reserva Playa Tortuga

Effect of habitat fragmentation by properties on the Costa Rican mammal diversity and abundance

admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 05:04:56 +0000

The student from HAS University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Bas van der Zeijden has already finished his study to compare the mammals abundance between nature Reserve and other properties in Ojochal. He invited the neighbors that participate on this study and shared the results with all of them on a presentation at Reserva Playa Tortuga.

Why is this study important?

Mammals need a large amount of habitat for foraging and reproducing, Agoutis have a smaller habitat (2 km2) and ocelots a way larger habitat (50 km2), if not more. Despite the size, all of these mammals are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and loss, such as logging, construction of roads and properties. But what is the effect of properties here in in Ojochal? What does it do with the size and abundance of the mammals.

In some of the forest, mammals are responsable for 66% of the seed disperse, playing a vital role in the seed dispersal of the rainforests. Also, by eating plants, the will create space for other plants. Or they will increase the biodiversity by eating the dominant plants, leaving space for the other less dominant species.

Camera locations:

Results:

13 different species
7 different mammals at the reserve
11 different mammals at the properties

343 mammals captured on camera
Ridgeline is the only property with a higher abundance than the reserve
Farmland has the lowest relative abundance
The agouti has the highest abundance with 52,48%
Primary forest has the highest biodiversity
The maintained garden has the lowest biodiversity

On Bas’s words the study was too short to draw a significant conclusion, but there are some indications. For example:

The primary forest on slope and the ridgeline have a higher biodiversity, compared to the reserve, probably because of the big primary forests near the property, and the low human disturbance
The old cashew plantation has a low abundance and number of species. Some possible causes are: no food, disturbance, etc.
The creek has a lower biodiversity, and that might be because of high pet activity, gardeners or a position too close to the creek
The maintained garden has a low biodiversity, which is the most logical result, since the garden has no forest, a high human and pet activity.
The farmland has almost no mammals, probably for the presence of traveler and no suitable vegetation and human activity

Students from Atlanta visited RPT and learned about biodiversity

admin — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 20:09:23 +0000

About 40 students between 17 and 18 years old from the Galloway School in Atlanta, US, visited the Reserva Playa Tortuga during January of this year.

Accompanied by their teachers Lynda Jenkins and Stephen Fleming-Cooper, the students had the opportunity to stay for several days in the facilities of the Reserve and participate in different activities such as talks, bird inventory, monitoring of mammals, installation of trails cameras on the forest, analysis of waste found on the beach and of all the data collected during monitoring, and even participed in turtle releasing.

One of the talks that took place in the RPT was that of Jack Ewig, proprietor of Hacienda Baru for more than 40 years, who explained the evolution of both the Hacienda Baru and the South Pacific area in general, and how the advances of current society, such as roads, have impacted on flora, fauna and ecotourism.

In a relaxed conversation, Jack Ewig shared with the students his personal experiences with several species such ocelots, sloths and tapirs; how they have been increasing and decreasing their population, and the personal significance they have for him.

Want to know what the Monkeys Monitoring Project is about?

admin — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 17:20:49 +0000

During the month of November, the staff and some volunteers started the monkey surveys which involve a beautiful 2 hour walk around the reserve, through jungle and river, with some amazing views of both ocean and mountain. There are both Capuchin and Howler monkeys in the reserve, the aim of the survey is to see how many there are, where they’re going, what they’re eating and what they’re doing.

Helen, from UK, is a volunteer that is currently participating on this. She shared her experience with us: “We go out on monkey surveys three times a week. While the route is the same every time we start in different places at random, we also go on different days at different times so we can get a more accurate picture of their routines and behaviour. This week we’re going out first thing on Tuesday, late morning on Thursday and Friday afternoon”.

Helen explained that sometimes they are unlucky when it came to monkeys but instead they can see a lot of other wildlife! But, a few days ago, in the second part of the trail they spotted monkeys. They stopped and watched them for 5 minutes recording the date, time, species, number of adults and babies, behaviour and gps co-ordinates. They counted 14 capuchin monkeys, including 5 babies, looking for and eating food. Were spotted in the banana trees but they were eating some other fruits too. Further along the trail they saw another 4 – perhaps the scouts of the same group still looking for food.

For the next patrols they are hoping to spot some Howlers, which are definitely heard around… and some more capuchins!!

Want to know more about Helen’s and other volunteers experience? Just click here!