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RESEARCH & BIOLOGY
CHOCÓ + ANDES
A Haven for Biodiversity and Endemism
Mashpi Lodge enjoys a truly special location on the planet. We are within the Chocó and Tropical Andes ecoregions, which places us in one of the most biodiverse locations in the world — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to boot — which also boasts one of the highest rates of endemism on the Earth (i.e. certain species are found here and nowhere else). Definitely, a lodge like ours needed something unique and special, like its own team of biologists
RESEARCH:
AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROJECT
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
Initially, Carlos explored the forest from his tent. Along with local rangers and allied biologists, he firmly placed scientific research initiatives as cornerstones of the future guest experience. Among the first projects were the camera traps, designed to find out more about the shy inhabitants of the forest and begin to understand their numbers and behaviors.
We were clear that what makes Mashpi so unique and special is its
biodiversity. Therefore, we needed to study and understand it. Species counts
and inventories began, and camera traps were installed across the reserve.
Five years in, the first big headline arrived: a new species of frog for science!
ALLIANCES WITH ACADEMIA
To this day, Mashpi’s commitment to science remains as strong as ever. The team has expanded to six people and we have dozens of allies at universities in Ecuador and around the world. We constantly receive undergraduate and graduate students to conduct research and help us understand better this magical and under-studied forest.
We have collaborated with academic institutions including San Francisco University in Quito, Catholic University of Quito, Universidad de las Américas in Quito, University College London, Oxford University, Cambridge University, UC Berkeley, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Chicago, among many others.
So far, we have published more than 43 scientific articles and 20 new species have been described for science so far
20 new species in 13 years of Research and Biology!
Much of the information that has been produced in Mashpi is pioneering for the Ecuadorian Chocó region (and in general for South America), thus contributing to the science of the country and the world. Hundreds of students have trained and experienced the wildlife firsthand in our reserve; at the same time, the knowledge produced by researchers enriches the guiding experience of guests, as well as reinforcing the need for conservation of this valuable bio-region.
CURRENT INVENTORIES OF FLORA, FAUNA AND FUNGA OF THE
MASHPI-TAYRA RESERVE
Our Flora
Bryophytes
(liverworts, hornworts, and mosses)
168 species
Ferns
47 species
Palm
13 species
Woody Plants
Aprox. 257 species
Flowering Plants
Approx. 248 species
Orchids
112 species
OUR FAUNA
Amphibians
49 species
Butterflies and Moths
Approx. 323 species
Reptiles
69 species
Mammals
96 species (42 non-flying mammals)
Birds
410 species
35 species native to the region
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
65 species
Fish
25 species
OUR FUNGA
Lichens
39 species
Fungi
Approx. 134 species
THE RESEARCH & BIOLOGY TEAM
Since 2018, the Research and Biology team has been led by Mateo Roldán, an ecologist with a special interest in socio-environmental processes and sustainability.
Mateo has expanded the R&B department, generating new alliances and studies on previously unexplored topics. Research in Botany and research with applications for sustainability (eg edible fungi, restoration of micro-habitats) were reinforced and strengthened. Likewise, Mashpi has been positioned as an actor in the science and research ecosystem in Ecuador, seeking to understand this forest more and better, while inspiring and training future biologists and conservationists in Ecuador and the world.
The R&B team is complemented by Chiara Correa, an expert in orchids, with a great love and vocation for conservation. Carlos Vásquez, Darwin Chalá, Alex Medina and Darío Medina make up the Parabiologists, who, with other members of the team, manage the lodge’s Life Center, a space that combines the guest experience with research on butterflies.
Mateo Roldán
Research Director
Alex Medina, Darwin Chalá, Darío Medina y Carlos Vásquez
Parabiologists
Chiara Correa
Resident Biologist
PARTNERSHIP WITH SWAROVSKI OPTIK
We are pleased to be working together with Swarovski Optik. For seven decades, the company has developed, designed and manufactured long-range optical products of the highest precision for demanding users, such as the BTX binocular spotting scope, a ground-breaking invention that revolutionized the industry.
Our partnership includes the donation of two spotting scopes for our Research & Biology team, so they can improve the reserve’s species inventories and use the scopes in the field alongside guests. Guests will be able to help our R&B team monitor and understand the phenological (flowering) cycles of some of the most emblematic tree species found in the Reserve.
RESEARCH & BIOLOGY BLOG
La Guapa: Flavors with Purpose from the Forests of Mashpi
At Mashpi Lodge, we promote wellbeing and prosperity. We believe sustainability goes beyond conserving the forest; it also means accompanying, supporting and empowering the communities that protect it.
Since 2021, we’ve been collaborating with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Guayabillas (ASOMEG in Spanish), a group of visionary women from our neighboring community.
Mashpi Science: Anthuriums, Giant Trees and Magnolia Secrets
A little-known botanical treasure named after our lodge’s founder; revealing new species; the discovery of our 24th newly-described species; and advances in research on our Magnolia mashpi, the emblem of the reserve… In this edition of Mashpi Science, we share three stories that reflect the incredible biodiversity we enjoy, protect
White-fronted Capuchin
The white-fronted capuchin is an emblematic species from the coast of Ecuador, with few remaining homes due to endangered status.
The find of a lifetime
Learn about the beauty and variety of Bromeliads found only in American tropics, while uncovering your own find of a lifetime at Mashpi Lodge.
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