Rainforest

Biodiversity in the tropical rainforests of Ecuador is under serious threat. To gain more pastures, mankind is exploiting the ecosystem by slashing and burning – at the expense of both flora and fauna. Researchers at the San Francisco research station are doing pioneering work in a quest for new ways for mankind to use nature without destroying it.

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Rainforest: Episode 12, 01/07/2008

Know-How for Ecuador

Visitors from the provincial capital: A group of students from the National University of Loja are on an excursion to the research station. Ventures like this are a part of capacity building, which involves training courses for students, giving Ecuadorians the opportunity to graduate, and cooperation with the local universities. This creates the necessary know-how to implement the concepts for sustainable land use that are being developed. The researchers’ main aim is to preserve the existing biodiversity, while ensuring that the local population has a reliable basis for existence.

At a glance

University: LMU Munich
Philipps-Universitaet Marburg

Field of Research: Biology, Climate Science, Ecology, Ethnology, Forestry, Genetics, Geography, Geology

Location: Rio San Francisco / Ecuador

Episodes: 12

Season/Year: 1. Season/ 2008

Status: Finished

Topics: university students, lecture, climate research, vicinity, phenomena, future projects

15.04.2008

The Mountain Rainforest – A Burning Topic

The rate of deforestation in Ecuador is higher than almost anywhere else in Latin America, making it the ideal place for the "Tropical Mountain Rainforest" research group.

22.04.2008

In the Heart of the Research Domain

The road to the Estación Científica San Francisco is long and steep. The bus has to cross the El Tiro pass, climbing to an altitude of 2,800 metres, before descending 1,000 metres into the valley as it winds its way into the Amazon.

29.04.2008

Pristine Forest and Pasture

A spade, rubber boots and provisions: Two teams of researchers set off to perform a concurrent ecological survey of the pasture cleared by slash-and-burn and of pristine mountain rainforest.

06.05.2008

At Over 3,200 Metres

Waterproofs are essential here: The Cerro del Consuelo, at an altitude of 3,200 metres above seal level, is home to the highest weather radar installation in the world.

13.05.2008

Waterways

A measuring station in a small tributary valley of the Río San Francisco, where data is collected and evaluated. How much rainwater makes it from the forest canopy to the ground?

20.05.2008

Taking Stock at a Lofty Height

Diversity in the treetops. Epiphytes are plants that grow on trees, a subject that Dr. Werner specialises in. On his expedition he makes some amazing discoveries....

27.05.2008

A Free Meal

The beauty and diversity of the flora in the mountain rainforest is primarily maintained by bats, birds and insects, making them perfect subjects for the researchers to study....

03.06.2008

Oribatid Mites, the Nutrient Suppliers

Soil-dwelling microbes are indispensable for life in the mountain forest, but the variety and number of microbes in the mountain rainforest soil drops with increasing altitude.

10.06.2008

A Symbiotic Biocoenosis

One can't survive without the other: Many orchids are only able to exist in symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. To study this, biologists Dario Cruz and Paulo Herrera are collecting samples on the mountain rainforest margins.

17.06.2008

Bracken Fern vs. Meadow Grass

Bracken fern is a serious problem, as once it has grown, it is very hard to combat. The common practice of burning is counterproductive, as the heat from the fire actually stimulates growth underground.

24.06.2008

From Pasture to Forest

Reforestation in the San Francisco valley. Researchers hope to re-establish forest that is as similar to natural forest as possible on abandoned pastures that were once considered lost for good. Researchers in Sven Günter’s team are planting saplings of native commercial timber species....

01.07.2008

Know-How for Ecuador

Visitors from the provincial capital: A group of students from the National University of Loja are on an excursion to the research station. Ventures like this are a part of capacity building....

Field of Research