A Tree Identification and Sampling Study at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve in Costa Rica by Jacqueline Medrano  ObjectiveThe purpose of the investigation is to study unidentified trees in predetermined study sites of the 300-hectare reserve, in particular a one-hectare quadrat set aside by the Smithsonian Institution for tree diversity research. Methods The study will be conducted over a four month period from July to October 2007 and will take place in the Cloudbridge Private Nature Reserve in South-Central Costa Rica (www.cloudbridge.org). I will collect samples, identify them, make herbarium specimens, and write a paper on the distribution of various species within the forest plots. Field procedures will include locating unknown trees/epiphytes and collecting specimens for identification. The collections will be properly pressed, dried, mounted, and labeled. The Networking Aspect. Samples, along with their scans and multiple photo images from the field, will be sent to three sources as vouchers for identification: the National Institute of Biodiversity, the National University (both in Heredia, Costa Rica), and Dr. Leslie Landrum, my thesis advisor and ASU Herbarium Curator. I will make at least three sets of herbarium samples for each species to be distributed among these institutions. Furthermore, as images are made in the field they will be sent via the internet to ASU where they will be identified to family and then sent on to specialists in those families for identification. The specialist will in turn be able to communicate with the collector (myself) as to identification and give advice as to additional materials needed if any are lacking. With the help of ASU and specialists in both the US and Costa Rica, the specimens will be identified to family, genus, and species, and follow-up work will be done to ensure all the information is continually added to local archives and the online database. We believe this may be one of the first times that a field scientist may collaborate in such a way that she can work closely with professional organizations by sending images and scans to receive almost immediate feedback from the experts. Because this study relies heavily on computer technology, my director and I will “meet” virtually at least once a week, but will probably end up communicating via email every day or every other day. During the meetings we will discuss the progress of my project; it will also be a time to ask questions or bring up problems that I may be facing in the field. Epiphytes and More I also may be contributing to a Canopy Epiphyte Abundance project by helping with the identification of unknown epiphyte species. Additional objectives include learning proper GPS use and surveying methods, and creating or contributing to a reference website for digital photos of plants studied along with the information gathered about them (where they grow, at what elevations, key features, etc.). Reseachers must bring independent funding for their projects, including travel and living expenses. Send us some information about your research qualifications, what you wish to study, and when you can come. If your project is accepted, we'll assist in finding accommodation and provide access to the reserve. We'll also publish the results of the research on the Cloudbridge website. To discuss your ideas, contact Ian & Genevieve Giddy (see the contact page). |
