We successfully celebrated the event May: Biodiversity Month in the Los Planes Watershed"
The event, "May: Biodiversity Month in Los Planes Watershed", reunited experts in ornithology, herpetology, entomology and botany, who shared their knowledge with attendees from various communities such as El Ancon, Los Tamales, La Ventana and La Paz.
The weekly lecture series began with a session on ornithology, entitled “Benefits of Birdwatching” in which participants learned about the positive aspects of birdwatching, considering the endemic species that live in our region and their ecological importance. Our specialist Gerardo Marrón highlighted the crucial role these birds play in the balance of local ecosystems and how their observation can contribute to social welfare and biodiversity conservation.
The second talk, “Myths and Realities of Snakes”, was given by biologist Marco Solis. On this occasion he had the opportunity to demystify several common misconceptions about snakes, providing clear scientific information about their behavior and their crucial role in the ecosystem. He emphasized that snakes are fundamental for pest control and that many of the species present in the region are not dangerous to humans. The conference generated an open dialogue among the attendees, who shared their experiences and fears, thus achieving a deeper and more respectful understanding of these reptiles.
Carlos Palacios Cardel presented the third talk, “Kissing bugs in the Cape Region”, where he talked about the presence of this species in local ecosystems. Palacios Cardel detailed the biology and behavior of the Kissing bugs, as well as its relationship with Chagas disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which is transmitted to humans through its bite. This conference was especially relevant for the inhabitants of the communities near the areas with the greatest presence of this insect.
The event culminated with the conference “The Effects of Drought on Vegetation and Ranch Life,” presented by Dr. Sula Vanderplank and Dr. Shane MacFarlan. Both experts discussed the challenges that drought poses to local flora and ranch livelihoods. The conference also included an exploration of the nearby vegetation to examine the specimens that are affected and analyze how it impacts biodiversity. They stressed the importance of following best agricultural practices to move towards sustainable management, and implementing water conservation techniques to mitigate the impacts of drought.
The event “May: Biodiversity Month in the Los Planes Watershed” not only increased the community’s knowledge of local biodiversity, but also fostered a sense of shared responsibility towards the conservation of our natural resources. The active participation of the community of El Ancon, along with visitors from nearby communities, demonstrated our region’s interest and commitment to environmental protection.
We would like to thank all the speakers, Kumutú STEAM facilitators and attendees for their invaluable contribution to this event. Together, we will continue to work to offer more educational and outreach events that strengthen the knowledge and love for nature in our region.
December 16, 2024
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