environment

Azuero study tallies up flora and fauna

The forest preserves and their unique ecology will be the subject of a study aimed at improving conservation techniques

LA PRENSA

wildlife abounds: Upwards of 150 species of birds find sanctuary in the El Montuoso forest reserve. 1015297

A new study sponsored by the Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Biodiversidad of the Universidad de Panamá proposes to take inventory of the flora and fauna in the Azuero Peninsula´s protected forests in an effort to better conserve the area’s riparian ecology.

The Japan-based Agency of International Cooperation and the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (Anam) will also help to support the study, which will include El Montuoso and Las Tronosa, two preserves located on the peninsula in the Los Santos and Herrera provinces.

Cristina Garibaldi, the study’s coordinator, explained that the project’s results will be used to promote the sustainable use of the Azuero’s natural resources. She added that a greater knowledge of the those resources will hopefully inspire local communities to appreciate the socio-economic value of employing alternative farming techniques.

According to El Montuoso’s website, because of the area’s unique topography, not much is known about many of the native animal species, especially concerning reptiles and amphibians. According to Garibaldi, residents of the Azuero have reported the gradual decline of many of the peninsula´s endemic species. The study would cover possible factors influencing their disappearance, as well as doing genetic research into the ever-growing list of endangered species, which could help predict their chance of survival.

As for plant life, the Carldovica palmate, known commonly as the "palma de sombrero" (or "hat palm") because its fronds are often used to make hats, will be included in the study in the hopes that more will be learned about its reproduction.