The 2013 ABS Amazon Field School will take place from May 12-30 in Tambopata, Peru. Below is a list of readings that we will cover in the course, followed by a detailed schedule of events and dates that we will discuss each reading.
Reading Assignments:
- Bodmer and Puertas. 2000. Community-based comanagement of wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon. (pdf)
- Brightsmith. 2005. Parrot nesting in southeastern Peru: seasonal patterns and keystone trees. The Wilson Bulletin 117(3): 296-305. (pdf)
- Brightsmith et al. 2008. Ecotourism, conservation biology, and volunteer tourism: A mutually beneficial triumvirate. Biological Conservation 141: 2832-2842. (pdf)
- Cañas and Pine. 2011. Documentation of the temporal and spatial patterns of pimelodidae catfish spawning and larvae dispersion in the madre de Dios River (Peru): Insights for conservation in the Andean-Amazon headwaters. River Research and Application 27(5): 602-611. (pdf)
- Fitzgerald, L.A. A Short Primer on Keeping Field Notes. (pdf)
- Hill et al. 2003. Impact of Hunting on Large Vertebrates in the Mbaracayu Reserve, Paraguay. Conservation Biology 11(6): 1339–1353. (pdf)
- Mas de Mil Hectáreas deforestadas – La Republica (pdf)
- Noss et al. 2004. An Evaluation of Hunter Self-Monitoring in the Bolivian Chaco. Human Ecology 32(6): 685-702. (pdf)
- Peres. 2000. Effects of subsistence hunting on vertebrate community structure in Amazonian Forests. Conservation Biology 14(1): 240-253. (pdf)
- Stronza, A. 2005. Hosts and Hosts: The Anthropology of Community-Based Ecotourism in the Peruvian Amazon. National Association for Practice of Anthropology Bulletin 23:170-190. (pdf)
- Stronza, A. 2010. Commons management and ecotourism: ethnographic evidence from the Amazon. International Journal of the Commons 4(1): 56–77. (pdf)
- Swensen et al. 2011. Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon: Global Prices,Deforestation, and Mercury Imports. PLoS ONE 6(4): e18875. (pdf)
- Vasquez and Gentry. 1989. Use and Misuse of Forest-Harvested Fruits in the Iquitos Area. Conservation Biology 3(4): 350-361. (pdf)
- Suggested: Manzi and Coomes. 2009. Managing Amazonian palms for community use: A case of aguaje palm (Mauritia flexuosa) in Peru. Forest Ecology and Management 257: 510–517. (pdf)
- Suggested: Stronza, A. 2008. Through a New Mirror: Reflections on Tourism and Identity in the Amazon. Human Organization 67(3): 244-257. (pdf)
Detailed Schedule:
May 12
Fly to Peru spend the night in Lima
Readings:
- Mas de Mil Hectáreas deforestadas – La Republica (pdf)
- Swensen et al. 2011. Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon: Global Prices,Deforestation, and Mercury Imports. PLoS ONE 6(4): e18875. (pdf)
May 13
Fly to Puerto Maldonado (watch for mining related deforestation from airplane)
Take boat up to Posada Amazonas
Move in to rooms
Brief guided walk in forest (depending on arrival time)
Dinner
Introduction to the course and Conservation Case Studies
Overnight: Posada Amazonas
Reading:
- Stronza, A. 2010. Commons management and ecotourism: ethnographic evidence from the Amazon. International Journal of the Commons 4(1): 56–77. (pdf)
May 14
Breakfast
Communities and water activity: Visit to Oxbow Lake
Lunch
Basic introduction to the ecology of Conservation Case Studies: Forest walk Focus on the forest and do NOT go to the canopy tower (wildlife, Brazil nuts, Dipteryx trees, inland water bodies, wildlife)
Field notes lecture (Fitzgerald, Stronza et al)
Dinner
Discussion: Local maps and satellite imagery: connecting ecology, culture and governance
Students choose their case study teams
Readings:
- Fitzgerald, L.A. A Short Primer on Keeping Field Notes. (pdf)
- Noss et al. 2004. An Evaluation of Hunter Self-Monitoring in the Bolivian Chaco. Human Ecology 32(6): 685-702. (pdf)
- Hill et al. 2003. Impact of Hunting on Large Vertebrates in the Mbaracayu Reserve, Paraguay. Conservation Biology 11(6): 1339–1353. (pdf)
May 15
Overnight Centro Ñape
Wildlife techniques: Bird and Mammal Identification (all go to canopy tower)
Breakfast
Leave after breakfast (move out of rooms take an overnight bag leave large luggage)
Forests and Choices field activity: Forest values walk of Centro Ñape with Don Honorato, focusing on economic and cultural value of forest resources.
Lunch at Nape
Hunting and forest types walk (from late afternoon in to early evening return after dark)
Late Dinner
Wildlife Techniques: Brief discussion of transect methodology and estimating animal abundances. Student groups build data sheet and finalize methodology
May 16
Overnight Posada Amazonas
Wildlife Techniques: Early AM bird and primate transect methodology activity
Breakfast
Return to Posada after Breakfast
Forests and Choices field activity: Forest values walk focusing on ecological, economic and cultural value of forest resources (walk down to harvested Brazil nut tree on way to big Kapok. Go to big Kapok,
Lunch
Tour of Posada Amazonas (with lodge manager, talk about Rainforest Alliance Certification, Green innovations, the importance of the lodge to the community etc.)
Discussion of time at Centro Ñape
Dinner
Wildlife techniques: Caiman outing on Tambopata River (8 – 10 PM)
May 17
Overnight Puerto Maldonado
Early AM fishing activity (go super early 4 AM?) to make sure that we are early enough to be able to clearly see the transition from NIGHT fish to Day fish
Travel to Puerto Maldonado,
Visit to Mining site 2 hour drive to Quebrada Guacamayo
Lunch in car
Pause at a Palm Swamp along the way back to explain threats to swamps
Move in to Peru Amazonico
Lecture: Brief intro to the town and safety briefing
Dinner (students on their own)
Readings:
- Vasquez and Gentry. 1989. Use and Misuse of Forest-Harvested Fruits in the Iquitos Area. Conservation Biology 3(4): 350-361. (pdf)
- Suggested: Manzi and Coomes. 2009. Managing Amazonian palms for community use: A case of aguaje palm (Mauritia flexuosa) in Peru. Forest Ecology and Management 257: 510–517. (pdf)
May 18
Overnight Puerto Maldonado
9:00 AM – 5 PM Conservation Symposium (see schedule above)
Quick discussion on plans for visiting the market
Dinner (on your own)
Free Time
| Time | Presenter | Organization | Topic |
| 9.00 am | Don Brightsmith | Texas A&M, Applied Biodiversity Sciences Program | Welcome and opening of symposium |
| 9:10 am | Javier Gordillo | Madre de Dios: conservation overview | |
| 9.55 am | TBA | Grupo de Trabajo de la Sociedad Civil para la Interoceánica Sur – Perú | Amenazas a la biodiversidad en Madre de Dios |
| 10.40 am | Coffee Break | ||
| 11.00 am | Juan Loja (Confirmed) | ACCA | Proyectos de desarrollo y conservación en el ámbito de la Interoceánica Sur: lo bueno, lo malo, y lo feo |
| 11.45 am | Juan Loja (Confirmed) | ACCA | La caceria a subsistencia: un ejemplo de la Comunidad Nativo de Infierno |
| 12.30 pm | Lunch | ||
| 2.30 pm | Cesar Ascorra (Confirmed) | CÁRITAS | Impacto social y ambiental de la minería en Madre de Dios |
| 3.15 pm | Maria Azucena Angulo (Confirmed) | AIDER | Proyectos forestales de AIDER en Madre de Dios |
| 4.00 pm | Break | ||
| 4.15 pm | Carlos Castañeda (Confirmed) | ACCA | Investigación, conservación y relaciones comunitarios: ACCA en Madre de Dios |
| 5:00 | Lee Fitzgerald | TAMU | Management of Tupinambis Lizards in Argentina |
May 19
Overnight Puerto Maldonado
6 AM Visit to the local market
Students will be given instructions to search for information regarding a variety of local and regional products (wildlife, hardwood charcoal, Brazil nuts, Aguaje palm, edible palm larvae, fish, and gold). Breakfast on your own.
Lunch in PEM
2 PM Tour of farm with Victor Zambrano
Discussion of Market and or Victo Zambrano
Dinner on own
Readings:
- Stronza, A. 2005. Hosts and Hosts: The Anthropology of Community-Based Ecotourism in the Peruvian Amazon. National Association for Practice of Anthropology Bulletin 23:170-190. (pdf)
- Peres. 2000. Effects of subsistence hunting on vertebrate community structure in Amazonian Forests. Conservation Biology 14(1): 240-253. (pdf)
- Bodmer and Puertas. 2000. Community-based comanagement of wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon. (pdf)
May 20
Overnight Infierno
8 AM pickup
Brief tour of the center of the community
Visit with community hunters
Meet with member of the Control Committee of the Native Community of Infierno
Box lunch provided by RFE
Participatory mapping lecture / activity
Transfer to homestays (split among Duran, Mishaja and Masias)
May 21
Overnight Infierno
Breakfast
Ethnographic and biological field notes, participant observation, and informal conversations with local families
Lunch and Dinner with families
Readings:
- Cañas and Pine. 2011. Documentation of the temporal and spatial patterns of pimelodidae catfish spawning and larvae dispersion in the madre de Dios River (Peru): Insights for conservation in the Andean-Amazon headwaters. River Research and Application 27(5): 602-611. (pdf)
- Suggested: Stronza, A. 2008. Through a New Mirror: Reflections on Tourism and Identity in the Amazon. Human Organization 67(3): 244-257. (pdf)
May 22
Overnight Infierno
Breakfast
Separate time in three households
Ethnographic and biological field notes, participant observation, and informal conversations with local families
Lunch and Dinner with families
Readings:
- Brightsmith. 2005. Parrot nesting in southeastern Peru: seasonal patterns and keystone trees. The Wilson Bulletin 117(3): 296-305. (pdf)
- Brightsmith et al. 2008. Ecotourism, conservation biology, and volunteer tourism: A mutually beneficial triumvirate. Biological Conservation 141: 2832-2842. (pdf)
May 23
Overnight Tambopata Research Center
11 AM Infierno to Tambopata Research Center (4 hours on river)
Move in to rooms
Dinner
Discussion about time in Infierno
May 24
Overnight Tambopata Research Center
Early AM Wildlife: Visit to parrot clay lick
Breakfast
Forest walk (wildlife observation, macaw nest sites natural and artificial in Dipteryx, wildlife identification, visit small water bodies in trail system)
Lunch
Free time
Dinner
Faculty Research Lecture: Wildlife: Parrot community nesting
May 25
Overnight Tambopata Research Center
Breakfast 7:30
Wildlife research activity
Lunch
Forests research activity
Dinner
Wildlife techniques: Bat mist netting
May 26
Overnight Tambopata Research Center
Optional Early AM Visit to parrot clay lick or other activity
Breakfast
Aquatics activity: Trip to a stream for net fishing
Lunch
Team work on Conservation Case Studies
Dinner
Free time or night hike
May 27
Overnight Tambopata Research Center
Free time work on Conservation Case Studies
Lunch
Presentation of Conservation Case Studies findings
Dinner
May 28
Overnight El Gato
Early departure to travel from TRC to El Gato
Lunch on boat or at El Gato
Free time for swim or forest exploration
Final dinner at El Gato
May 29
Travel from El Gato to Puerto Maldonado
11:35 AM Flight to Lima
Afternoon in Lima (shopping and museums)
Overnight flight back to the USA
May 30
Return to TAMU
