Hello to all. I previously posted on this forum about openings for a short amphibian survey in Puerto Rico, which was finished two days ago. It was a success, and I am happy to say that I have grant money available to conduct a much longer survey from July 16th to August 10th.
As such, I have eight openings for undergraduate students interested in participating in a 25 day long amphibian survey of two remote forest valleys in Patillas, Puerto Rico. Information on how to apply is at the end of this message. The grant will cover the equipment we will be using, the cost of your accommodations (mainly tents, but there will be a couple of days we will be staying in bunkhouses I'll be renting), and all in-country travel. It will not pay the cost of flights to and from Puerto Rico, and it will not pay for all of the food costs. As such, I'm asking that participants pay $250.00 ($10.00 per day) to cover their food costs for the survey. Generally speaking, the goal of the survey is to determine the range of five target species of amphibians, all genus Eleutherodactylus, all of which have been listed as either threatened, endangered, or critically-endangered by the IUCN. The survey will take place in two very remote valleys located on the 1,000 acre property known as Las Casas de la Selva, in Patillas, Puerto Rico. Tropic Ventures Research and Education Foundation conducts ecological research at Las Casas de la Selva. The majority of our work focuses on forestry, but I won this grant specifically to survey the 700 acres of valleys that are set in permanent conservation easement. In-depth information is below, please read it carefully, then feel free to ask me questions at [email protected]. Goals of Tropic Ventures Research and Education Foundation 1. To promote the responsible management of the second-growth forests of Puerto Rico via demonstrations of sustainable timber tree growing, management, and harvesting techniques at “Las Casas de la Selva”. 2. To promote public education about the ecosystems, natural habitats, and flora & fauna of Puerto Rico, as well as to educate the public on the need for responsible development and conservation. 3. To conserve 700 acres the 1,000 acre tract of forest known as “Las Casas de la Selva” in Patillas, Puerto Rico under permanent conservation management. 4. To serve as a scientific and conservation research center for professional development. For more information about Tropic Ventures Research and Education Foundation, visit www.eyeontherainforest.org Goals of this amphibian survey 1. To determine the extent of range for the five target species of amphibians confirmed to exist at Las Casas de la Selva: a. Eleutherodactylus locustus (IUCN Status: Critically-endangered) b. Eleutherodactylus wightmanae (IUCN Status: Endangered) c. Eleutherodactylus cooki (IUCN Status: Vulnerable) d. Eleutherodactylus portoricencis (IUCN Status: Endangered) e. Eleutherodactylus richmondi (IUCN Status: Critically-endangered) 2. To conduct Chytrid tests on amphibians in the survey areas, to determine if the disease Chytridiomycosis is a conservation concern. 3. To record environmental information on the habitats where the amphibians are found (humidity, temperature, plant life, habitat type, microhabitat, etc) in order to better plan future conservation programs. 4. To place dataloggers to record short term (seasonal) and long term (climate change) patterns in the remote study areas, especially in areas where populations of critically-endangered amphibians are located. 5. To serve as in-field training and experience for a group of life-science major university students. 6. To utilize the data obtained from this survey to set up long-term amphibian monitoring and conservation programs at Las Casas de la Selva in conjunction with the Puerto Rican Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Tentative Schedule: (Subject to change due to weather issues and survey needs) July 16th: All participants must arrive at SJU airport before 1:30pm; 2:30pm meet time to depart to Las Casas de la Selva homestead followed by dinner and introductions. July 17th: Training and moving of equipment to Icaco Valley, set up camp. July 18th – July 23rd: Survey of Icaco Valley. July 24th: Day out in Old San Juan. July 25th: Back to the field. July 26th – July 30th: Survey of the mountain ridge separating Hormiga Valley from Icaco Valley. July 31st: Rest day. August 1st – August 8th: Survey of Hormiga Valley. August 9th: Break camp, return to Las Casas homestead. August 10th: Departure, make sure flights leave SJU airport after 5pm. Requirements to Participate: 1. $250.00 deposit to cover the cost of food while you are in the field. This deposit must be paid by June 26th, 2014 (however, your spot will not be held until the deposit is received) and is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. 2. You must be at least 18 years old by the start date of the survey. 3. You must be in EXCELLENT physical condition. This survey will require extensive hiking, sometimes for up to several miles per day, taking routes that go over very steep terrain that can vary in elevation by several hundred feet. In some areas, the only way to get to the study site is via ascending or descending using climbing rope. 4. You must have excellent endurance. There may be days during the survey where we will have to work 18 hours a day to get the data needed (including hiking to and from the study site for that day). This will not be every day, but these days will happen. Additionally, you need to be able to work several days in a row without a “day off”. Rest time will be provided every day, but full days off will be rare during the survey. 5. You must be willing and able to work under very harsh weather conditions, and you must be willing to get dirty and wet. The rainy season is already starting in southeast Puerto Rico, and it isn't hyperbolic to say it is likely that it will rain every day during the survey, heavily at times. 6. You must be willing to follow directions. There are areas in each valley that present safety hazards, and it is important that you be willing to follow directions to prevent injury, as well as to preserve the integrity of the trails, such as they are. 7. You must be able to work with others. 8. You must be prompt and on time, and willing to wake up early enough to be ready to start the work day when it is scheduled to start. 9. You must bring proper field attire (a packing list will be provided). 10. Extensive knowledge about the amphibians of Puerto Rico is of course wonderful, but it is not required- again, this is a survey designed to allow the professional development of aspiring/beginning students interested in herpetology. Far more important is ambition and a deep-seated desire to learn and discover. Benefits: 1. Your deposit will pay the costs of your food. All in-country travel, as well as your accommodations (tents) will be provided for you via the grant. 2. It is estimated that you will gain approximately 150 hours of field work experience. 3. One goal of this survey is student development. As such, all students will either author or co-author a scientific paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal (depending on how much publishable data we collect). Some of these papers may be simple geographic distribution notes, but it is still a way to gain the experience of writing, submitting, editing, and publishing! 4. 25 days in Puerto Rico and in the rain forest, and the experience of a lifetime! To apply for this survey, please send your resume and contact information for three references to Norman Greenhawk at [email protected]
