Conservation Science
Paso Pacífico depends on the latest conservation science to inform its decision-making and to help endangered plants and wildlife avoid extinction. Collaborative partnerships with Nicaraguan universities and international researchers are a major component of this program.
Paso Pacifico also partners with landowners to conduct baseline studies and monitoring. These studies direct conservation actions, guide corridor design, and provide training opportunities for landowners. For example, Paso Pacífico is monitoring populations of the Geoffroyi Spider monkey across the Paso del Istmo with the help of farmers who are extremely skilled at wildlife observation.
Photo: Otterstrom and Hagell train farmers in primate monitoring techniques
The social sciences are an important component in the Conservation Science program. Ethnographic and socio-economic data help Paso Pacífico to better understand attitudes towards wildlife and to identify the social drivers of land use along corridors. We use this information to identify common ground with landowners
Photo: Julie Martínez of Paso Pacífico conducts farm household survey in Paso del Istmo.
A scientific advisory board is currently being formed to assist Paso Pacífico in developing projects that make a measurable impact on the conservation of biodiversity.
