The End of an Era

After over 6 years of intensive research and community development work in and around the Yachana Reserve, GVI Amazon is coming to a close. We have finished our final research project (look forward to our Road Effects paper, coming soon!) and are handing over the project to our partner, The Yachana Foundation. They will continue to maintain and monitor the reserve, using it as an hands-on science education center for students -- we're very excited to see what fabulous things this next generation of scientists find! For more detail on GVI Amazon's closure, and our accomplishments over the years, please read on...
GVI Amazon Closure Statement

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Amphib VES!

Last night I went on my first amphibian VES (visual encounter survey) with GVI Amazon, I was really excited as with my time here in the Ecuadorian rainforest I would like to learn as much as possible about working with frogs and toads. We left base around 7.30pm as most amphibians are nocturnal.

When we got near to the surveying transect which had been set up during the week, everyone had to keep quiet to not disturb anything around us. Our survey had a 250 meter section that was marked out with blue string. Myself and another intern, Flexi, slowly surveyed 3 meters on each side of the string. Fraser, a staff member took lead in front of us while another staff member, Lexi stayed behind us with survey recording equipment. This consisted of calipers to measure SNV (snout to vent length), scales to weigh and a camera to document species.



We use plastic see through bags to catch amphibians to prevent any disease spread. Once any bag has had contact with any amphibian we safely burn the bags. On our nights survey we managed to spot and process a Pristimantis kichwarum which is a small frog which is recognized by its rounded toe pads and a distinct M or W shape on its head. We also found a Pristimantis altamazonica and a favorite of mine, Amereega bilinguis which is a colourful poison dart frog. It is red on top, blue underneath and has yellow armpits and crotch area. The last two species we caught were Anolis trachyderma which are like little lizards. On any walks in the forest is a really good experience as you always get to see really cool bugs and insects.

Naomi Sanders, GVI Amazon Long-term Conservation Intern, July-December 2012



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4 comments:

Julie Webb said...

Good posting Naomi, this is from "Flexi's" aunt and grandma in California. Good job, learn lots and be kind to critters.

Anonymous said...

Great post Naomi , looks like you been learning lots and doing good work ,that's a cute little critter in the picture too :-)

From James E,

jamell007 said...

Wow great Blog naomi ,I want more more more !!! Cute pic of that little critter :-) well done x

jamell007 said...

Wow great Blog naomi ,I want more more more !!! Cute pic of that little critter :-) well done x