Research, Teach and Learn in the Exuberance of the Yasuní Natural Park

Researchers and students from ICTA and the UAB participate in the Yasuní Scientific Expedition, a unique experience to study biodiversity, global change and ethnoecology this summer in the equatorial Amazon, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

31/07/2014

The Yasuní Scientific Expedition has set the objective of gathering information for the inventory of the biological wealth of this natural park. The expedition lasts two months and in the long term also aims to study the effects of climate change on the biodiversity of the region.

Coordinated by the Institute of Tropical Biodiversity (IBT) of Lleida and the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Ecuador, 200 people – lecturers, researchers and students - from universities in Catalonia, Spain and Latin America participate in the expedition. In addition to research and inventory tasks, several educational activities and knowledge exchange sessions with the local population are also conducted.

The ICTA-UAB team traveling to Ecuador is made up of researchers and lecturers Martí Boada, pluridisciplinary research consultant and head of the university group, Jordina Belmonte, director of ICTA, Isabel Ruiz Mallén, Carles Barriocanal and Jaume Marlés. Four students and former students are also participating: Sergi Cantos and Margarita Vila, graduates; Núria Foguet, who graduated this year; and Pau Cardellach, graduate in Biology and with a master's degree in Plant Biology and Biotechnology.

“The expedition is a unique initiative, taking place in a truly exceptional scenario and with very ambitious objectives in broadening our knowledge on biodiversity”, say Yasuní researchers in an email.

Constructing an Ecotheque in the National Park

The team of lecturers will be mainly in charge of one of the training aspects of the course, focused on biodiversity and global climate change, the knowledge of the environment and ethnoecology. A total of five seminars and five workshops will be offered on knowledge of the environment and the usage of its resources. These will allow to construct an ecotheque and prepare teaching materials to be used throughout the scientific stay at the park.

“The experience represents teaching and disseminating knowledge, something we love doing, but it also represents a chance to be modest and eager learners”, the lecturers say. “Here we are surrounded by nature and everything is new to us, so we learn a lot from the researchers at the park centre, but also from the indigenous communities: we give and receive, explain and listen, teach and learn. And we enjoy our surroundings and the new experiences.”

The expedition will help researchers and team members establish ties and share future research and teaching tasks, and give way to student exchanges.

A Unique Experience in Search of a Future

The younger team members take part in several educational and research activities related to environmental awareness, coming in contact with local ethnicities, botany, mastozoology and ornithology. “Each area has a different purpose. For example, taking a census and putting rings on the birds in ornithology or following the tracks of mammals in mastozoology", explains Núria Foguet.

All of them say the experience is very gratifying at a personal level and is a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge and experience which will allow them in the future to study nature and the environment professionally. “There aren't many opportunities in life like this one, to work on something you like in such a special place”, says Sergi Cantos, who is also participating in an activity in which members exchange environmental knowledge with the Waorani community.

Some also take advantage of the possibility of carrying out other activities related to their training or hobbies. Margarita Vila, who next year will be taking the master's degree in interdisciplinary studies in environmental, economic and social sustainability, is working on the fieldwork she will need for her master thesis. And Pau Cardellach is working on a photographic and documentary project on the expedition for his website: www.paucardellach.com.

Their stay at Yasuní ends on 15 September, but the experiences they will take with them will last a lifetime.

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The ICTA-UAB team wishes to thank the reception and support they received from the scientific and technical team at the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve and National Park, and at the Yasuní Scientific Park and Biological Station of the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Ecuador, as well as from the members of the Waorani community who accompanied them and explained the uses and traditions of their territory, thereby enriching their knowledge on biodiversity.