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    Put Science and Technology to Work MAAP Reports
April 13, 2019

MAAP #99: Detecting Illegal Logging In The Peruvian Amazon

In the Peruvian Amazon, most of the logging is selective (not clearcutting), with the targets being higher-value species. Thus, illegal logging is difficult to detect with satellite imagery. In MAAP #85, however, we presented the potential of satellite imagery in identifying logging roads, which are one of the main indicators of logging activity in the remote Amazon. […]

    Los Amigos Bird Observatory
March 28, 2019

Two Ancient Icons of the Neotropics

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) and the Shihuahuaco tree (Diptheryx micrantha) are iconic species of the Neotropics that play key roles in the health of the ecosystem. The harpy eagle is the heaviest and most powerful raptor inhabiting the canopy of rainforests. Its historic distribution ranges from southern Mexico to northeastern Argentina. While the variety in its diet suggests […]

    Protect Wild Places MAAP Reports
March 1, 2019

MAAP #98: Deforestation Hotspots In The Peruvian Amazon, 2018

Thanks to early warning forest loss alerts,* we are able to make an initial assessment of the 2018 deforestation hotspots in the Peruvian Amazon. The Base Map highlights the medium (yellow) to high (red) hotspots. In this context, hotspots are the areas with the highest density of forest loss alerts. Note that the most intense hotspots are concentrated in […]

    Los Amigos Bird Observatory
February 26, 2019

Camera Traps: Colorfully Capturing Motmots

Our camera traps were set up to monitor a nest of the secretive giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus). However, during a recent recording session, a less reclusive forest friend stole the spotlight: a rufous motmot (Barypththengus martii). This curious bird belongs to the Momotidae family, which comprises a group of colorful arboreal species. An Amazonian motmot […]

    Protect Wild Places MAAP Reports
February 12, 2019

MAAP #97: Deforestation Surge In The Colombian Amazon, 2018 Update

The Colombian Amazon is currently experiencing a deforestation surge (see graph). The surge started three years ago (2016) and peaked in 2017 with the highest annual deforestation on record (214,744 hectares).* Deforestation remains high in 2018: 156,722 hectares (based on early warning alert data).* If this estimate is confirmed, it would be the second highest on record (behind just 2017). National […]

    Los Amigos Bird Observatory
January 21, 2019

New Year, New Fellows! Announcing the 2019 Jonathan Franzen Fellows

Two years ago, the Los Amigos Bird Observatory opened its doors to promote avian research and conservation in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world: the Amazon basin. To continue with our commitment, last year, we launched our second Franzen Fellowship call for applications, targeting students and young researchers interested in avian research. […]

    Protect Wild Places MAAP Reports
January 8, 2019

MAAP #96: Gold Mining Deforestation At Record High Levels In Southern Peruvian Amazon

Gold mining deforestation has been at record high levels in both 2017 and 2018 in the southern Peruvian Amazon. Based on an analysis of nearly 500 high-resolution satellite images (from Planet and DigitalGlobe), we estimate the deforestation of 18,440 hectares across southern Peru during these last two years. That is equivalent to 45,560 acres (or 34,400 American football fields) in just two years. The Base Map highlights […]

    MAAP Reports
December 3, 2018

MAAP Synthesis #3: Deforestation in the Andean Amazon (Trends, Hotspots, Drivers)

Download a PDF of this Article MAAP, an initiative of the organization Amazon Conservation, uses cutting-edge satellite technology to monitor deforestation in near real-time in the megadiverse Andean Amazon (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia). The monitoring is based on 5 satellite systems: Landsat (NASA/USGS), Sentinel (European Space Agency), PeruSAT-1, and the companies Planet and DigitalGlobe. For more information about our innovative methodology, see this recent paper […]

    Western Amazon Newsletter
November 22, 2018

“I have been insulted. I have been threatened. But here I stand to protect my forest.”

Flor Rumayna’s story is one of strength in the face of adversity and of understanding that without protecting nature, we can’t thrive. Deep in the Amazon rainforest of Peru, Flor and her husband Gilberto have been running this forest-friendly lodge for many years now, right on the edge of Huitoto Lake. The lush Amazonian forest […]

    Los Amigos Bird Observatory
November 20, 2018

Joining forces with neighbors? Think twice!

The russet-backed oropendola (Psarocolius angustifrons) is one of the most common and widespread of the oropendola passerine birds in the Amazon. They are mostly dull brown with rufescent rump and olive tone to head. This species has three subspecies: P. a. astrocastaneus, on the western Andean slope; P. a. alfredi in the eastern Andean subtropical forest; and P. a. angustifrons in […]

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