Publications
‘…the Hardest Working People on This Planet…’: Conservation Practitioners' Narratives of Heroism and Indigenous Erasure in the Manu National Park, Perú
Conservation practitioners' narratives often perpetuate exclusionary wilderness discourses, emphasizing their own heroism while erasing or marginalizing Indigenous peoples. A critical analysis of archival material and interviews from the Manu National Park, Peru—a global conservation priority—reveals that these narratives frame Indigenous communities as environmental threats rather than acknowledging their vital roles. While some exceptions exist, fundamental reflexivity in conservation practices remains lacking, highlighting the need for practitioners to de-center themselves and recognize Indigenous contributions.
Making knowledge and making wilderness: The politics of introducing the social sciences into conservation in the Manu National Park, Perú
Conservation efforts in the UNESCO-listed Manu National Park, Peru, have historically relied on Western ontologies that separate humans from nature, sidelining social sciences. This study reveals how conservation practitioners and organizations often instrumentalize social science tools to reinforce wilderness narratives and portray Indigenous communities as environmental threats. Conversely, critical social science research challenging these colonial notions faces hostility and exclusion from decision-making processes. Despite the potential for reflexive conservation practices that could reshape conservation approaches, their influence remains limited within dominant paradigms.
Podanotum cosnipata Faynel, Fahraeus & Gonzalez-Mercado 2026, sp. nov.
A new species of moth, Podanotum cosnipata, has been discovered in the cloud forests of southern Peru's Manú National Park. This species is distinguished by its muted ventral appearance and small black spots bordered by pale orange scales on its hindwings, which are unique among known Podanotum species. The discovery was made through detailed morphological analysis and genetic divergence studies, revealing that P. cosnipata is closely related to P. pajaten and P. andrewneildi but can be differentiated by its distinct wing patterns and dorsal coloration. The research highlights the biodiversity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Manú National Park, emphasizing the importance of such areas for scientific exploration.
Podanotum wayquecha Faynel, Fahraeus & Siebel 2026, sp. nov.
Scientists have discovered and described a new species of butterfly, Podanotum wayquecha, within the UNESCO-listed Manú National Park. This species is distinguished by its unique wing pattern, which includes rounder hindwings and reduced blue scaling compared to similar species like P. clarissimus. Genetic analysis revealed a 3.28% mean divergence in COI from P. clarissimus, confirming its status as a distinct species. The discovery was made through morphological examination of adult specimens and genitalia, alongside genetic sequencing. Podanotum wayquecha inhabits cloud forests at elevations between 2950–3400 meters in southern Peru and northern Bolivia, exhibiting territorial behavior on treetops. Its name derives from the Quechua word for 'brother,' referencing its habitat near the Wayquecha biological station.
Redefining conservation in world society : indigenous peoples’ challenges to green colonialism in the UNESCO World Heritage regime
The UNESCO World Heritage regime is increasingly becoming a contested platform for addressing historical injustices, with its legitimacy hinging on Indigenous-led conservation approaches. This study reveals that while the formal recognition of Indigenous rights has expanded within the regime, implementation often remains partial and decoupled from actual conservation practices. The research employs a comparative analysis across four sites—Manú National Park (Peru), Tongariro National Park (Aotearoa/New Zealand), Lake Bogoria (Kenya), and Pimachiowin Aki (Canada)—using qualitative content analysis of official UNESCO records from 1987 to 2023. It demonstrates how Indigenous actors and human rights institutions can influence the regime's openness to inclusive conservation, challenging persistent exclusionary practices rooted in 'green colonialism.' The study also highlights the potential of UNESCO's documentary repository for tracing institutional change and reconstructing organizational realities.
Social preferences and choice experiments in biodiversity conservation in Manu National Park, Peru
A study quantifies the economic value of biodiversity conservation in Peru's Manu National Park (MNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. Using choice experiments with 560 households in Lima, researchers estimated marginal willingness to pay for conservation efforts, addressing threats like illegal logging and mining. The findings highlight the significant economic benefits of protecting MNP, emphasizing its role as a critical tool for biodiversity preservation and ecosystem service provision. This approach provides actionable insights for policymakers aiming to balance conservation with land-use challenges.
Using Choice Experiments to value biodiversity in a Megadiverse Protected Area: The case of Manu National Park, Peru
A higher willingness to pay for threatened flora in Manu National Park—associated with cultural familiarity—was quantified, revealing non-use values of USD 19.7 million that could support conservation policies. The study used choice experiments to estimate economic value for biodiversity protection and deforestation reduction in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, addressing a gap in evidence for megadiverse countries like Peru where biodiversity loss threatens ecosystem resilience.
Valuing Biodiversity Conservation in Manu National Park: A Choice Experiment Case Study Conducted During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A groundbreaking study reveals that ecological functionality, such as species interaction networks, is the most influential factor in public preferences for biodiversity conservation in Peru's Manu National Park. Using a choice experiment conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic among 1,005 residents of Metropolitan Lima, researchers found that improvements in functional biodiversity attributes generated significantly higher willingness to pay (WTP) compared to traditional indicators like species counts or habitat loss. This suggests that functional ecological metrics may more effectively communicate complex biodiversity changes to urban populations, offering valuable insights for conservation policy. The study employed mixed logit and latent class models to account for respondent heterogeneity, though its findings are not nationally representative.
We are all researchers: the co-creation experience of the IV course on social sciences for conservation at the Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Manu National Park, Peru
A groundbreaking co-creation experience at the Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru's Manu National Park demonstrated that integrating indigenous and academic knowledge can fundamentally reshape conservation strategies. The 2025 Social Sciences for Conservation Course brought together Matsigenka indigenous youth and non-indigenous students, fostering an epistemic dialogue where all participants became active researchers. Through immersive activities—including forest walks, fieldwork, and analysis of community management documents—the course facilitated the mutual recognition of diverse knowledge systems, leading to a reconfiguration of conservation as a more equitable field. Unlike traditional co-creation models, this process emphasized relational transformation over tangible outputs, highlighting the potential for indigenous perspectives to function as both empirical input and conceptual frameworks in scientific research.
‘The place where you should have been born’—Conservation practitioners sacralising wilderness and developing a sense of belonging in the Manu National Park, Perú
Conservation practitioners' subjective views can perpetuate notions of sacredness and belonging that displace Indigenous peoples, even while aiming for equitable management. A critical analysis of interviews, archival material, photographs, and personal experience in Peru's Manu National Park reveals how these perspectives often sacralize wilderness, reinforcing problematic dynamics with Indigenous communities. However, meaningful long-term interactions with local communities can foster inclusive emotional connections, suggesting that transformative change in conservation practice may require collective experiences outside dominant social environments.
A Rapid Assessment of Pronophilina Reuter, 1896 community structure and diversity in the uppermost cloud forests near timberline in Manu National Park, Peru (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)
A rapid assessment of Pronophilina butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) in Manu National Park, Peru, revealed high species richness and diversity in the uppermost cloud forests near timberline. The study recorded 45 species, with Pedaliodes dominating at 70% of specimens. Despite proximity (30 km apart), the two sites showed low Sørensen similarity, suggesting microhabitat or elevation-driven differences. Community structure aligned with log-normal and Zipf-Mandelbrot models, indicating well-preserved ecosystems. Sampling via Van Someren-Rydon traps proved effective for biodiversity studies in cloud forests, offering insights for conservation policies.
Epidendrum manusalinasiae (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae), new species from the high Andean forests of Manu National Park, Cusco, Perú
Scientists have discovered and described Epidendrum manusalinasiae, a new species of orchid belonging to the Saxicola group, found in the high Andean forests of Peru's Manu National Park. This novel species is distinguished by its elliptic leaves, pale yellow to green flowers with red-brown tinges, and a unique lip structure featuring a wide cordiform platform and plicated mid-lobe. The discovery contributes to the understanding of orchid biodiversity in the region, providing insights into its distribution, habitat, phenology, and conservation status. Researchers compared it with closely related species like E. churubambense and E. herreranum, highlighting its distinct morphological traits. This finding underscores the importance of Manu National Park as a hotspot for orchid diversity.
Policy Management in Early Childhood Development in Intercultural Bilingual Schools of Manu National Park – 2024, Seeking Quality Education (SDG 4)
A study on policy management in early childhood development within Intercultural Bilingual Schools (EIB) in Manu National Park reveals significant progress and persistent challenges. While the implementation of welcoming learning environments and memory-enhancing pedagogical strategies shows promise, deficiencies in teacher training, resource allocation, and infrastructure adequacy hinder effectiveness. The research, employing a qualitative phenomenological approach with expert validation, highlights a gap between educational policies and school realities, emphasizing the need for targeted improvements to align policies with the unique needs of these schools.
River Between Us
A tenuous trade relationship has emerged between the Mascho Piro, an isolated hunter-gatherer tribe in Peru's Manú National Park, and nearby villagers along the Madre de Dios River. Despite language barriers and societal differences, this interaction has led to sporadic violence, including a 2015 incident where a fifteen-year-old boy was killed. To mitigate tensions, Peruvian authorities deployed anthropologists to monitor both groups, aiming to maintain the status quo amid growing external threats such as drug trafficking, gold mining, and missionary activity. The documentary also highlights the tribe's vulnerability to diseases from outside contact, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through cinematic techniques, the film captures the environmental and social divisions symbolized by the river, offering insights into indigenous studies, Latin American anthropology, and the complexities of civilization.
Selective impacts of subsistence hunting on mammal communities in Manu National Park, Peru
Subsistence hunting in Manu National Park, Peru, appears to have selective impacts on mammal communities without causing significant depletion of most species. Research using camera trap data found that sites with no or low hunting pressure harbor relatively more large-bodied carnivores and species with long generation lengths and small litters, suggesting these are particularly vulnerable to hunting. Conversely, smaller-bodied rodents with short generation lengths and large litters dominate hunted sites. Surprisingly, large herbivores—commonly hunted—showed no significant decline across the gradient. The study also highlighted that habitat factors (e.g., distance to water bodies) can be more influential than hunting pressure for some species, underscoring the need for localized forest management strategies.
Terrestrial behavior of a solitary female spider monkey (Ateles chamek) on a beach in Manu National Park, Peru
A solitary female Peruvian spider monkey (Ateles chamek) exhibited terrestrial behavior on the sandy bank of the Pinquén River in Manu National Park, Peru. This rare observation suggests that adult females may descend to the ground not only for food but also to cross rivers, a hypothesis supported by the low water levels and short river width. The individual's behavior—walking quadrupedally, pausing, and standing upright—was documented over several minutes. Given the remote location, it is highly unlikely she was a pet, reinforcing the natural context of this behavior. While drinking from the river cannot be ruled out, the evidence points to an attempt to cross, likely thwarted by human presence.
The structure and organisation of an Amazonian bird community remains little changed after nearly four decades in Manu National Park
After nearly four decades, the bird community within Manu National Park's 97-hectare plot shows remarkable stability. Unlike other neotropical sites experiencing significant declines, this study found minimal change in foraging guilds—five increased, two decreased, and seven remained unchanged—suggesting that large forest reserves like Manu may act as refugia against global change effects. Researchers revisited the original 1982 plot using identical methodologies to assess long-term community structure, highlighting the potential resilience of intact Amazonian ecosystems due to regional topographical influences on precipitation.
Assessment of jaguars Panthera onca (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) and their prey in Manu National Park
Jaguars (Panthera onca) in Peru's Manu National Park exhibit high density and widespread distribution, with estimates suggesting 193-241 individuals across the lowlands. A short-term study using 136 camera trap stations across 820 km² found jaguar densities of 2 to 2.5 individuals per 100 km², with no clear patterns in space use linked to environmental variables, prey availability, or competitors. Most prey species also showed high occupancy (>0.70), including ocelots (psi = 0.83) and pumas (psi = 0.25). The research suggests jaguars are abundant and resilient to spatial variations in habitat and human pressures, providing critical insights for conservation efforts in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Aenigmanu, a new genus of Picramniaceae from Western Amazonia
Aenigmanu alvareziae, a previously unidentified tree species from Peru's Manu National Park, has been formally described as a new genus and species within the Picramniaceae family. Despite multiple collections since 1973, its unique vegetative features initially defied classification until molecular analysis using nuclear ITS and chloroplast rbcL markers revealed its true taxonomic placement. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods confirmed its distinct lineage, supported by detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and a distribution map. This discovery enriches our understanding of Western Amazonian biodiversity and provides a revised key to the genera of Picramniaceae.
Negative density dependence in the mortality and growth of tropical tree seedlings is strong, and primarily caused by fungal pathogens
Fungal pathogens are the dominant contributors to negative density dependence (NDD) among tropical tree seedlings, significantly impacting mortality and growth rates while also promoting species diversity. A decade-long study in Manu National Park, Peru, monitored seedling survival and growth, followed by a 31-month experiment manipulating natural enemies. Fungicide treatment reduced mortality, accelerated growth, and decreased species diversity, highlighting the critical role of fungal pathogens in maintaining tropical forest biodiversity. Other natural enemies had minimal effects on seedling performance.
Efecto distancia en la disposición a pagar por la conservación de la biodiversidad: el caso de un área protegida megadiversa
A groundbreaking study on the willingness to pay (WTP) for biodiversity conservation in Peru's Manu National Park reveals that proximity does not inversely affect financial support. Contrary to expectations, the 'positive decay effect' suggests that interest in conserving this megadiverse area outweighs the disinterest associated with distance. This finding challenges conventional economic models and underscores the unique appeal of high-biodiversity regions. The research employed choice experiments (CE) based on 1,164 surveys, providing a robust dataset to analyze various attributes influencing conservation support.
East with the Night: Longitudinal Migration of the Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata) between Manú National Park, Peru and the Llanos de Moxos, Bolivia
A pair of Orinoco Geese (Neochen jubata), a Critically Endangered species in Peru, was tracked migrating approximately 655 kilometers from Manú National Park to the Llanos de Moxos in Bolivia. This longitudinal migration, primarily occurring at night with or without moonlight, sheds light on the wet season location of Peru's last known breeding population, aiding conservation efforts. The study suggests that Orinoco Geese in the Llanos de Moxos are year-round residents, indicating a partial migration from the Bení region, possibly due to cavity nest limitations. Researchers used GPS/Argos satellite PTTs to monitor the geese's movements and foraging areas, highlighting the importance of grazing lawns maintained by herbivores, including cattle.
Aproximación a la identidad matsiguenka a partir de las influencias externas. Primeros acercamientos
External influences have significantly shaped the identity of the Matsiguenka people in the Peruvian Amazon, particularly in the Urubamba and Manú regions. The study reveals that political and economic decisions, such as the division of their territories in the 1970s and the declaration of part of their land as a national park, have created complex and contradictory relationships with development projects like gas extraction. These changes have impacted the Matsiguenka's traditional way of life and their perception of identity, reflecting a dynamic interplay between internal cultural perspectives and external forces. The research, based on fieldwork conducted in 2001-2003, analyzes how these influences have altered their social and territorial identities.
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