Tropical Ecology and Conservation in Costa Rica

UW students have the opportunity to study abroad on the CIEE Tropical Ecology and Conservation program in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The following is a presentation on Anne Vandenburg’s independent research project during her term abroad.

Anne is a Zoology and Spanish major with a certificate in Environmental Studies. She received the Study Abroad Scholars to support her studies in Costa Rica. Effects of Human Presence on Mammal Populations

Independent research project conducted for Tropical Ecology and Conservation program in Monteverde, Costa Rica Choosing a Project

• General area of interest: – Mammals – How are humans impacting environment? – Costs vs. benefits of ecotourism • Topic: How does ecotourism in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve affect the mammal populations living there? • Create experimental design with help of research advisor Research Site: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve • Very high tourist traffic • Benefits of tourism to the Reserve: – Good for local economy • Employees of the Reserve • Tourism brings money to hotels & restaurants • Most Monteverde residents employed directly or indirectly by ecotourism business – Environmental protection • Very small section of the reserve open to tourism • All profit from entrance fees used for conservation Experimental Procedure

• Trail 1: heavy tourist traffic • Trail 2: restricted; reserve staff and pre-approved researchers only (used very rarely) • Data collected on 5 trail cameras per trail, spaced every .25km, left for 2 weeks – Capture movement day & night • Data also collected by hiking 1km section of each trail at slow, steady pace seven times each at same time in the morning • Number of species & individuals counted for each trail, data analyzed for statistical significance Results: Visual Counts *troops of monkeys counted as 1 individual sighting • Tourist trail: 11 individuals of 6 species – 4 coatis – 3 howler monkeys – 1 squirrel – 1 raccoon – 1 troop of capuchins – 1 agouti • Research Trail: 8 individuals of 6 species – 1 couple of howler monkeys – 3 squirrels – 1 raccoon – 1 capuchin – 1 agouti – 1 skunk • No statistically significant difference Results: Camera Traps

• Tourist trail: 8 individuals of 6 species – 1 coati – 1 skunk – 1 opossum – 2 tayras – 2 mice – 1 margay Results: Camera Traps • Research Trail: 49 individuals of 10 species – 13 coatis – 8 agoutis – 8 pacas – 11 opossums – 1 mouse – 3 armadillos – 1 tayra – 1 oncilla – 1 ocelot – 1 puma – 1 unidentifiable individual • More individuals, more species richness

Tourist trail Left: mouse; right: coati Research trail Left: paca; right: agouti Research trail: puma Research trail: ocelot Conclusions

• Human presence DOES negatively impact mammal populations – Less richness, fewer individuals on trail with frequent human use • Camera data more meaningful – Bolder individuals likely to be seen on either trail with visual counts – Camera traps capture bold and shy individuals, show overall more on research trail

Conclusions

• Important to take results into consideration in management of ecotourism destinations • Ecotourism at reserve benefits local economy and conservation efforts BUT tourist access should continue to be restricted • More research should be done using camera traps; with more time & resources should cover larger area

Resources

International Academic Programs 106 Red Gym www.studyabroad.wisc.edu

Returned Student Network www.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programs/return_student_network.asp

UW Scholarships scholarships.wisc.edu/Scholarships/

CIEE Monteverde www.ciee.org/study-abroad/costa-rica/monteverde/