Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela, assistant professor of environmental research, and a crew of Colombian researchers have launched a transformative method to mapping hen species distribution throughout Colombia, harnessing group science knowledge and progressive modeling strategies.
Their newest examine, printed with open entry within the journal Variety and Distributions, presents high-resolution vary and Space of Habitat (AOH) maps for practically all terrestrial hen species present in Colombia, together with endemic and threatened species. These maps not solely cowl 94 p.c of Colombia’s terrestrial resident hen species but additionally present conservationists with important instruments to information future efforts in one of many world’s most biodiverse areas.
“Regardless of being essentially the most bird-diverse nation on this planet, information concerning the distribution of many species stays restricted,” stated Andres Felipe Suarez-Castro, a lecturer on the Faculty of Atmosphere and Science at Griffith College (Australia) and lead creator of the examine. “Our analysis discovered that present world maps lack precision for a lot of species. Fortuitously, with the explosion of open-access knowledge, we are able to now combine ecological info with group science information to reinforce our understanding of hen species distribution in Colombia.”
Correct species distribution maps are very important for making knowledgeable conservation selections, assessing extinction dangers, and safeguarding biodiversity. Nonetheless, conventional strategies usually fall brief, missing the precision wanted for local-level planning.
Ocampo-Peñuela’s crew overcame these limitations by combining expert-drawn maps with probabilistic modeling, elevational vary knowledge, and group science contributions from eBird — a worldwide database the place hen fans and researchers alike share observational knowledge. The ensuing maps showcase Colombia’s biodiversity in larger element than ever earlier than, notably throughout the Andean-Amazon transition zone and the Chocó area.
“These maps present a clearer image of species richness and biodiversity hotspots that had been beforehand understudied as a consequence of historic conflicts or lack of entry,” Ocampo-Peñuela explains. “As an illustration, we’re seeing the worldwide frontiers of deforestation firsthand in these transition zones. This knowledge is essential as a result of we’re shedding these forests by the minute, they usually host excessive numbers of endemic species discovered nowhere else on this planet.”
To deal with knowledge gaps in areas such because the Amazon and Darién Hole, the researchers advocate for elevated involvement from native communities. By constructing native capability for biodiversity monitoring, Ocampo-Peñuela believes Colombia can strengthen its conservation efforts with out all the time needing outdoors consultants.
“If we would like complete biodiversity knowledge, empowering native communities to watch their ecosystems is important,” she notes. “Many biodiversity research are ‘parachute science,’ the place experience leaves as shortly because it arrives. We want a extra genuine, sustained group science part.”
The examine’s findings and new mapping strategies have sensible purposes for native conservationists and nationwide policymakers alike, particularly as Colombia is presently internet hosting COP16 — a important second for biodiversity safety on the worldwide stage.
With a dedication to guard 30 p.c of the world’s land and oceans by 2030, conservation targets hinge on dependable knowledge. Ocampo-Peñuela’s open-source strategies provide a blueprint for researchers in different biodiversity-rich nations to develop comparable maps utilizing their very own native knowledge.
“The innovation right here is not simply within the accuracy of our maps but additionally within the transparency about the place our information is stable and the place it is unsure,” she says. “Every pixel on our map signifies the diploma of certainty, empowering decision-makers to see the areas the place knowledge gaps exist.”
These maps can be found for anybody to entry, and researchers worldwide can replace them as new knowledge emerges, offering a repeatedly evolving instrument for conservation. The framework permits for adaptability, making it relevant to a variety of different taxa and ecosystems outdoors of Colombia, from mammals to crops.
Past the sensible purposes, Ocampo-Peñuela and her crew see these maps as a step towards rising Colombia’s function in world conservation science. “We’re extraordinarily proud to say this analysis was achieved by a Colombian crew for Colombia. As Colombia hosts COP16, we hope this work is not going to solely profit Colombia however will encourage different nations to spend money on comparable analysis that empowers native scientists and conservationists,” she provides.
As Ocampo-Peñuela and her crew proceed to refine these mapping strategies, they continue to be dedicated to supporting conservation efforts that steadiness scientific precision with group involvement, making certain that each world biodiversity targets and native ecological wants are met.
“This examine reveals the significance of integrating a number of knowledge varieties to enhance our information of hen range,” stated Suárez-Castro. “Using group science knowledge is essential, and we should always encourage work with native communities to acquire info that can assist us perceive and defend biodiversity.”
Colombia’s cutting-edge work in hen conservation serves as a significant reminder of the progressive, place-based approaches wanted to guard our planet’s fragile ecosystems.
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