Publications
Does biodiversity depend on geodiversity? Canaima National Park, Venezuela – case study.
Research in Canaima National Park, Venezuela, reveals that geodiversity—particularly the presence of distinctive Tepui and Mesa-type mountains—significantly influences biodiversity. The study found that terrain-based geodiversity is a dominant factor shaping species abundance, suggesting a strong link between geological features and ecological richness. To investigate this relationship, scientists mapped geodiversity while analyzing data on plant and animal species distribution. By isolating the impact of terrain in their synthetic geodiversity map, they identified key geological structures as critical determinants of biodiversity patterns.
Quantification of burnt areas as a fundamental parameter for the estimation of spatial and temporal patterns of fire incidence in Canaima National Park (Venezuela)
A significant increase of 64% in fire incidence was observed between the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 periods within Canaima National Park (CNP), Venezuela, with total burnt areas reaching 64,200 ha and 106,000 ha respectively. This surge coincided with one of the most severe El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) episodes, 'Godzilla,' during which extreme drought conditions led to 45,000 ha burning in January 2016 alone—accounting for 43% of the year's total fire damage. While grassy savannas were predominantly affected, forests also experienced heightened vulnerability under these extreme atmospheric conditions. The study, utilizing Landsat-8/OLI satellite data and QGIS analysis, provided the first high-confidence quantification of fire activity in CNP, offering critical insights for identifying vulnerable zones and developing targeted fire management strategies.
Transforming fire suppression into an intercultural and participative fire management policy in Canaima National Park, Venezuela. A learning together and Indigenous, academic and institutional knowledge integration process
A transformative shift in fire management policies within Canaima National Park, Venezuela, has been achieved through the integration of Indigenous Pemón knowledge with academic and institutional expertise. The study reveals that Indigenous practices, such as controlled burning for shifting cultivation and savanna-forest border management, are sophisticated strategies to mitigate catastrophic wildfires exacerbated by climate change. Over nearly 20 years, collaborative fire experiments involving Indigenous communities, firefighters, and scientists demonstrated that fire exclusion policies, while intended to protect ecosystems, paradoxically increase fuel accumulation, leading to larger, more destructive fires under current hotter and drier conditions. This research highlights the potential of intercultural collaboration in developing sustainable fire management strategies that balance ecological preservation with Indigenous livelihoods.
Linking well-being with cultural revitalization for greater cognitive justice in conservation: lessons from Venezuela in Canaima National Park
A shift toward intercultural fire management in Canaima National Park, Venezuela, has emerged from integrating Pemon indigenous knowledge with scientific research. This counter-narrative challenges conventional views that attribute landscape changes solely to local fire use. The study demonstrates how participatory processes—such as historical reconstructions, territorial self-demarcation, and community reflexivity—linked to the development of Pemon Life Plans, have revived suppressed environmental knowledge. By centering indigenous well-being agendas, conservation efforts have achieved cognitive justice, making hidden local knowledge visible and influencing policy-making toward more inclusive and effective fire management strategies.
New Records of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Bolívar State in South Eastern Venezuela, with 27 New Species for the State and 5 of Them New in the Country
A groundbreaking study identifies 27 new mosquito species for Bolívar State, Venezuela, including five previously unknown to the country. Conducted across 16 localities in Canaima National Park and Gran Sabana Municipality, this research marks a significant contribution to mosquito ecology and biogeography in South Eastern Venezuela. The findings highlight the region's rich biodiversity while emphasizing the medical importance of these species. The study also provides a checklist of mosquito species reported in Gran Sabana County, offering valuable insights for future epidemiological studies.
Speaking of fire: reflexive governance in landscapes of social change and shifting local identities
Indigenous peoples in Canaima National Park, Venezuela, gain confidence to engage in dialogue with other actors when their marginalized environmental knowledge is publicly acknowledged within endogenous cultural processes. This finding emerges from three participatory research projects in the Gran Sabana region that facilitated dialogue among indigenous groups regarding their conflicting views of fire. The studies fostered community-wide critical reflections on cultural change and identity formations, suggesting a pathway to reflexive environmental governance in intercultural settings marked by conflict and rapid social transformation.
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