Publications
A multi-species corridor between the Andean Amazonian and Amazon floodplain landscapes: prioritizing ecological connectivity areas for jaguar and threatened ungulates in the north-eastern of South America
Researchers have identified a critical multi-species corridor spanning the Andean Amazonian and Amazon floodplain landscapes, essential for maintaining ecological connectivity for jaguars and threatened ungulates like the lowland tapir and collared peccary. This corridor, primarily associated with the hydric network of the upper and middle Caquetá River basin, connects key protected areas such as Alto Fragua Indi Wasi, La Paya, and Serranía del Chiribiquete National Natural Parks, as well as several regional parks. The study utilized potential distribution models, spatial morphological analysis, and resistance matrix modeling to pinpoint low-cost dispersal routes and prioritize connectivity nodes using the randomized shortest path algorithm. These findings highlight the importance of preserving these corridors to safeguard biodiversity in the face of accelerating habitat degradation due to deforestation, cattle ranching, and infrastructure development.
A multi-species corridor between the Andean Amazonian and Amazon floodplain landscapes: prioritizing ecological connectivity areas for jaguar and threatened ungulates in the north-eastern of South America
Research identifies a critical multi-species corridor spanning the Andean Amazonian and Amazon floodplain landscapes, facilitating dispersal for jaguars and threatened ungulates like tapirs and peccaries. This corridor, primarily linked to the hydric network of the Caquetá River basin, connects key protected areas such as Serranía del Chiribiquete National Natural Park and others, ensuring ecological connectivity amid habitat degradation from deforestation and infrastructure development. The study employed potential distribution models, spatial morphological analysis, and resistance matrices to model dispersal routes and quantify global connectivity metrics using a multi-species approach that considers predator-prey relationships.
Landscape connectivity loss after the de-escalation of armed conflict in the Colombian Amazon (2011–2021)
A significant increase in deforestation and landscape connectivity loss has been observed in the Colombian Amazon following the 2016 peace agreement with FARC, particularly around the Serranía de Chiribiquete National Park. Annual deforested area surged from an average of 27.93 km² before 2016 to 73.36 km² afterward, driven by pasture expansion along rivers and roads used for cattle transport. The study employed Landsat archive data, the Continuous Change Detection and Classification algorithm (CCDC), and Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) to quantify these changes, revealing a shrinking core forest area and expanding edge and background areas dominated by pastures. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to preserve ecological connectivity and mitigate further environmental degradation in this critical region.
Seven new species of Rinorea (Violaceae) from the Neotropics
A taxonomic revision of the genus Rinorea (Violaceae) from Colombia has uncovered seven new species, significantly expanding our understanding of Neotropical biodiversity. These discoveries include Rinorea chiribiquetensis, found exclusively in Chiribiquete National Parkalong with others distributed across the Amazon and Andean regions. The study employed a combination of field observations and herbarium analyses to distinguish these species, particularly within complex groups like R. ovalifolia and R. pubiflora. Two new taxa, Rinorea aymardii and Rinorea betancurii, represent previously unknown lineages with affinities to other Neotropical species. The research provides detailed descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, and preliminary IUCN Red List assessments for these species, alongside an identification key for Colombian Rinorea sect. Pubiflorae. This work underscores the importance of Chiribiquete National Park as a critical hotspot for plant diversity.
A Roadmap for Forest Protection in Post-Conflict Colombia
Serranía de Chiribiquete National Park, located in the Colombian Amazon, stands out as one of the oldest geological formations in the Americas. This study provides a roadmap for forest protection in post-conflict Colombia, emphasizing the unique biodiversity and cultural significance of the region. The research combines geological analysis with ecological and socio-political considerations to address challenges posed by deforestation and land-use changes. It highlights the need for integrated conservation strategies that balance environmental preservation with post-conflict development goals.
Digitizing and Documenting Heritage for Conservation, A Case Study: Chiribiquete National Park Archaeological Site
High-resolution 3D digitization emerges as a transformative tool for the conservation and remote study of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, demonstrated by its application at Chiribiquete National Park. This method captures the intricate details, scale, and color of Paleoindian pictographs inscribed on Tepui mountain formations with minimal environmental impact or disruption to uncontacted Indigenous communities. The non-invasive approach not only preserves the archaeological heritage but also enables remote analysis and mitigates tourism-related risks, offering a sustainable model for site management.
Protecting Chiribiquete Forests: 7 Proven Strategies for Saving a Global Treasure
Effective conservation of Chiribiquete National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Colombia, requires an integrated approach combining Indigenous ecological knowledge (TEK), rights-based governance, and advanced technological monitoring. This study proposes seven complementary strategies—stewardship recognition, buffer expansion, hybrid monitoring, sustainable livelihoods, climate mitigation beyond carbon reductionism, credible research translation, and international collaboration—to protect this high-biodiversity territory. It argues against relying solely on carbon metrics or remote-sensing data, advocating instead for plural evidence systems, model transparency, and institutional capacity to navigate uncertainty. The framework emphasizes Indigenous data sovereignty, transparent standards, and the political economy of environmental metrics.
Sixteen new records of Odonata for Colombia from the Araracuara Region (Perilestidae, Calopterygidae, Heteragrionidae, Megapodagrionidae, Polythoridae, Coenagrionidae, Aeshnidae, Gomphidae, Libellulidae)
A recent field survey in the Araracuara Region of Chiribiquete National Park, Colombia, uncovered 16 new records of Odonata species for the country, including notable additions like Hetaerina charca and Ypirangathemis calverti. The study also documented two genera—Schistolobos and Ypirangathemis—as new to Colombia's biodiversity. Researchers collected a total of 40 species across eight families, contributing critical data to the understanding of dragonfly and damselfly diversity in this UNESCO-listed site. The findings highlight Chiribiquete's ecological significance while emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these unique aquatic insects.
Conclusion. The Amazon
Protected areas are pivotal to the conservation of Amazonia, with colossal national parks such as Chiribiquete in Colombia and Tumucumaque in Brazil playing a crucial role. These parks, which dwarf countries like Belgium, serve as strongholds for biodiversity preservation. The study emphasizes the significance of these protected zones in safeguarding the Amazon's ecological integrity amid growing threats. By analyzing the effectiveness and scale of these conservation efforts, the research underscores their vital contribution to global biodiversity strategies.
Nueva especie de Lonchorhina (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) de Chiribiquete, Guayana colombiana
Researchers have identified a new species of sword-nose bat (Lonchorhina) within the Chiribiquete National Park, Colombia, distinguished by its exceptionally large noseleaf (>41.5 mm) and tragus (>22.3 mm), surpassing all known phyllostomid bats. This discovery, based on phenetic analysis of 105 specimens representing five recognized species, highlights the genus's underappreciated diversity. The new taxon, closely related to L. mairkellei and L. inusitata, exhibits a larger skull (GSL mean = 27.31 mm) and more robust dentition. Collected from an inselberg near Rio Mesay, the species honors the Karijona people of Chiribiquete, where ancient Amazon pictograms depict bats, underscoring its cultural significance in this biodiverse yet unexplored region.
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