Our current projects comprise basic and applied research and involve people from different countries .

Research includes the preliminary inventory and monitoring of selected flora and fauna taxa, as well as ecological and sociological studies on the self-sustainable use of the tropical forest. This is being looked at through the application of different cultivation alternatives and selective resource extraction methods. Regeneration rates of different degree slopes cleared for agriculture are also being studied. Around WASAI Lodge & Research Center, the team will have easy access to a variety of habitats including seasonally inundated forest, upland forest, transitional forest, cleared area, small agricultural land, secondary forest, swamp and forest creek, whitewater river and lagoon.

The proximity of the research center to the local community provides opportunity for ethno botanical, resource management, and sociological investigation. Preliminary surveys on birds, mammals, herps, and trees are beginning in September of 1997. The region holds several world biodiversity records. The forest is tall and full of exceptional under-story flora.

2005-2006

• Preliminary surveys on birds and mammals on the small birds and mammals clay licks " collpas" around the lodge .
• Set up the best trail system to the Loss Lake ( an unknown and still virgin oxbow lake 3 km from the lodge)
• Preliminary survey on birds trees and mammals on the new trail of 15 km to the Chuncho clay lick .
• Monitoring macaws in a rich "clay lick" ecosystem to support responsible tourism development

Tambopata y Bahuaja Sonene 15 days Activities:

Here are some examples of the activities that we offer:

• An introduction to the ecology of the rainforest and plant adaptations for survival in the Amazon Rainforest. There will be an introductory walk in the forest during which we will learn about the structure, dynamics, and adaptations of the flora and fauna.
• Nocturnal Ecology will include a short night hike in the forest in order to experience the difference between diurnal and nocturnal forest life. There will be an introduction to the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the behavior of active nocturnal fauna.
• Rainforest Vertebrate Census. We will combine several types of field assessment methods to survey bird and mammal species.
• Arthropod World. Is an introduction to the amazing world of the millions of species of insects, spiders, and other bugs that live in the rainforest. Visitors will learn about the special adaptations arthropods employ for survival.
• Nocturnal vertebrate flyers of the Rainforest. During which we will census nocturnal birds (owls, nighthawks, potoos) and bats using transects and mist nets.
• Clay licks. We will visit the clay licks to view macaws and mammals and to observe this peculiar behavior and learn about its importance.
• People of the Rainforest. We will visit local people to learn how they are adapted for life in the rainforest.
• Rainforest Botany. This is a special activity covering the general ecology and special adaptations of plants. We will learn how many plants are used medicinally.
• Aquatic Vertebrates Census. We will take a nocturnal boat ride along rivers or lakes to do an assessment of caimans and frog species and their choruses.

Please contact for further information about the amazon research projects in Tambopata Peru.