I like to start a report like this with a sense of where we are. Here’s a Google Earth snapshot of Panama with the two sites nearly overlapping. If you can barely make this out, click on the image for a larger view.

Once it’s clear that we’re in Panama, the second most important piece of information is that we’re on the side of a mountain, Volcan Baru.

The dark green and brown area in the upper left portion of the image is Volcan Barú. Site 1 (BioBlitz Panama 1) is a wooded area at an elevation of 1128 meters, and Site 2 (BioBlitz Panama 2) is an abandoned pasture, now mowed, at an elevation of 737 meters.

Site 1 (20m x 20m) is above the village of Potrerillos Arriba and is reached by way of an uncertain road. No pictures were taken at the site. To give a sense of the trees and shrubs that grow there, here’s a collection of images from the web and my own that represent the species (in most cases) and genera (in some cases) found at the site. Scrolling over the thumbnails will reveal the common name and the Genus of the plant.

Site 2 (20m x 20m) is below the village of Potrerillos Arriba and is an abandoned pasture. No trees or shrubs more than 1 m in height were removed from this area (or any of the surrounding area) when the property was purchased. Smaller shrubs were cleared by machete. Site 2 and the surrounding area are maintained by mowing and, where too rocky to mow, by weed-eater or machete.

Here are the trees and shrubs found at site 2. One small tree, the monkey pod or vaina de mono (Samana saman), was planted. All the rest are trees or shrubs that were growing here at the time the property was purchased.

Similarities and Differences in Plants at the Two Sites

A total of 33 plants were recognized by common name at both sites, 21 at Site 1 and 14 at Site 2. The sites had only two plants in common: the macano (“billy club” or “truncheon” – a tree with sturdy wood, often used for fence posts – the one pictured is between 1 and 2 years old)

and mangle de montaña (“mountain mangrove” – a member of the tea family native to southeast Asia and North America – note the slender aerial roots, reminiscent of mangroves, extending from a branch on the left side of the trunk to the ground).

That these were the only two plants in common is, I’m sure, by chance. For instance, the guarumo (Cecropia peltata) found at Site 1 also grows in the area around Site 2. It simply wasn’t in the 20m x 20m grid.

The complete list is here:

Only one plant was unidentified with respect to its scientific name at Site 1 – and for that one the family was known. Four plants were unidentified with respect to scientific names at Site 2. Until the identification process is complete, which may take some time, it is not possible to know how the sites differed regarding number of plant families represented. At present, 14 families were represented at Site 1 and 7 at Site 2. Even if each of the remaining plants at Site 2 represented a different family, the maximum possible number of families at Site 2 would be 11 families.

So, in comparing the two sites, the wooded area had more kinds of plants, and more plant families represented, in a 20m x 20m plot than did the abandoned pasture. Considering that the sample sizes are small, and that there is just one sample from each area, it’s no doubt stretching a great deal to try to draw conclusions from these comparisons. Nevertheless, both elevation and soil type are likely factors that could influence these differences: elevation because there’s generally a higher annual rainfall and cooler average temperatures at the higher elevations (there’s nearly a 400 m difference in elevation between the two sites) and soil type because of the history of the abandoned pastureland. Previous to being grazed, the land was used for raising sugar cane for a number of years, which would have ferociously depleted the existing nutrients.

Data Unique to Each Site

Site 1. Checklists of insects (9), birds (11), and reptiles (6) were compiled at Site 1. For those to whom the Spanish common name means something, here’s the list. I’ll provide English translations later.

Site 2. We laid out a 20m x 20m grid, sectioned in 5m x 5m quadrats.

We measured the distance between each tree or shrub and two perpendicular sides of the quadrat. We recorded the quadrat number, the local common name, and the distance (in centimeters) to the two closest perpendicular sides of the quadrat. We ignored the small shoots of assorted small plants at the base of each tree or shrub.

We then plotted the data on graph paper.

The most numerous trees were the nance (Byrsonima crassifolia) (11),

one of the canillo trees (Miconia rubiginosa) (7),

the other canillo tree (Miconia sp.) (5),

and the palo blanco (unidentified scientific name) (4).

All other species were represented by only one or two plants.

Here’s the map of all data from this site (South is at the top of the map, North at the bottom):

The palo blancos were in the upper two rows of quadrats, the canillos were in the two right columns plus one canillo in quadrat V, and the nances were scattered throughout. I doubt that anything can be made of this, but I found it interesting that the distribution of the canillos had a diagonal trend (NE-SW – remember that South is a the top of the map) and the palo blancos had an East-West trend.

The data from this grid will be saved and the study repeated next year. Meantime, those very interesting “unidentified” plants will be worked up. Worth a separate study, I believe, would be a close look at the shoots that grow up around the bases of the trees.

So that’s it. A simple baseline of trees and shrubs from two sites on Volcan Barú in Chiriqui, Panama. I’m already thinking about how to build on this information next year. If it weren’t for the snakes, it would be great to lay out the grid at Site 1 as well. We’ll see. Until later, then, hasta luego!

More pictures of the volunteers are found at Flickr. Results will follow.

By the way, it was fun!

We sampled a wooded area at an elevation of 1137 m, covering an area of about 20 m by 20 m. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

We compiled a checklist of 18 plants, 9 insects, 11 birds, and 6 reptiles.

The participants were a high school biology teacher, her husband (who works for the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente – the National Authority of the Environment), their two children, and me.

Details and other survey results will follow.

A BioBlitz is a period of intensive sampling, usually conducted to get a quick estimate of the numbers of plants and animals in an area. This year, in the week around Earth Day, many citizens will be participating in BioBlitzes of some sort. You are invited (see original invitation here) to participate in Panama.

This first BioBlitz is a way to get an idea of the diversity in your own backyard or in any small area you are interested in. You may focus on just birds, if you wish, or butterflies or plants. You may try to get an idea of everything.

Here’s an overview of what you’d do. If you sign up, you’ll get detailed data sheets and instructions.

1. Find your study spot. Get location data for it (latitude and longitude from a local topographic map, or use and Google Earth to pinpoint it).
2. Measure the size of your study spot. Get a good estimate of area, in meters preferably, but in feet if necessary.
3. Record the amount of time you spend conducting the survey. It can be as short as one hour, or you may want to survey for two or three hours every day during the blitz. Up to you, as long as you keep track of the time.
4. Make a list of all plant, reptile, mammal, bird, and insect species that you can identify. If possible, record how many species you saw but were unable to identify.
5. Take pictures of the area and of as many species as you wish to help confirm your identification.

Does this sound like something you’d be interested in? If so, send an email to sign up.

I’ve started list of online plant ID resources and a brief list of books for plant ID. Other resources will be added.

You may conduct your study any time during the week of April 21-29.

A little background: This BioBlitz has been organized as an activity recognizing National Wildlife Week, April 21-29, in the United States. It is headed up by a senior biology student at Frostburg State University in Maryland and has been recognized by the Ecological Society of America and the National Wildlife Federation. It is a “citizen science” project and its goal is to encourage people to become more familiar with the plants and animals that live in their area. Participants are mostly from the United States but are also from Canada and Panama.

It has been suggested that I tell you something about my credentials for being involved with the BioBlitz. I am one of the Panamanian organizers. I am working with a biology teacher from the collegio in Boquete to organize our end of the BioBlitz. My own background in citizen science has included organizing the Mystic River Watch in Connecticut and participating in the Beach Watchers program in the state of Washington. My academic background is a PhD in Oceanography with the City University of New York. I taught oceanography for the Sea Education Association at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA.

En español:
Todavía hora de firmar para arriba para BioBlitz

Un BioBlitz (biorelámpago) es un período de muestreo intensivo, generalmente efectuado para lograr un estimado rápido de la cantidad de plantas y animales que habitan un área determinada. Este año, con motivo la semana que incluye el Día de la Tierra, muchos ciudadanos participarán en algún tipo de BioRelámpago. Por tanto, se le invita (véase la invitación original aquí) a participar aquí en Panamá.

Este primer BioRelámpago es una manera de conseguir una idea de la diversidad en su propio patio trasero o en cualquier área pequeña usted está interesado adentro. Usted puede centrarse en pájaros justos, si usted desea, o las mariposas o las plantas. Usted puede intentar conseguir una idea de todo.

Aquí está una descripción de lo que usted haría. Si usted firma para arriba, usted conseguirá las hojas y las instrucciones de datos detalladas.

1. Encuentre su punto del estudio. Consiga los datos de la localización para él (la latitud y la longitud de un mapa topográfico local, o utilizan de Google Earth establecerla claramente).
2. Mida el tamaño de su punto del estudio. Consiga una buena estimación del área, en metros preferiblemente, pero en pies en caso de necesidad.
3. Registre la cantidad de tiempo que usted pasa conducir el examen. Puede ser tan corto como una hora, o usted puede desear examinar por dos o tres horas cada día durante los bombardeos. Hasta usted, usted no pierda de vista mientras el tiempo.
4. Haga una lista de toda la planta, reptil, mamífero, pájaro, y especie del insecto que usted pueda identificar. Si es posible, registre cuántas especies usted vio pero no podía identificar.
5. Tome los cuadros del área y de tanta especie como usted desea ayudar a confirmar su identificación.

¿Este sonido como algo que usted está interesado adentro? Si es así envíe un email a firman para arriba.

He comenzado la lista de los recursos en línea de la identificación de la planta y una breve lista de los libros para la identificación de la planta. Otros recursos serán agregados.

Usted puede conducir su estudio en caulquier momento durante la semana de abril 21-29.

Un poco fondo: Este BioRelámpago se ha organizado como actividad que reconocía la semana nacional de la fauna, abril 21-29, en los Estados Unidos. Es dirigido para arriba por un estudiante mayor de la biología en la universidad de estado de Frostburg en Maryland y ha sido reconocido por la Sociedad Ecológica de América y de la Federación Nacional de la Fauna. Es “un proyecto de la ciencia del ciudadano” y su meta es animar a gente que haga más familiar con las plantas y los animales que viven en su área. Los participantes son sobre todo de los Estados Unidos pero son también de Canadá y de Panamá.

Soy uno de los organizadores panamanian. Estoy trabajando con un profesor de la biología del collegio en Boquete para organizar nuestro final del BioRelámpago. Mi propio fondo en ciencia del ciudadano ha incluido la organización Vigilancia del Río Mistico en Connecticut y participar en el programa de los Vigilantes de la Playa en el estado de Washington. Mi fondo académico es un PhD en oceanografía con la Universidad de Ciudad de Nueva York. Enseñé la oceanografía para la Asociación de la Educación del Mar en Woods Hold, Massachusetts, los E.E.U.U..

31 March 2007 update: If you’d rather not leave a public comment, but would like to sign up for the blitz, you may send an email to panamaplants@yahoo.com.

————-

Se le(s) invita a participar en una recolección relámpago de datos biológicos en Panamá. Durante la semana de 21 al 29 de abril de 2007, ciudadanos estadounidenses y de otros lugares estarán recabando información para conocer cuántas plantas, insectos, reptiles, ranas y otros seres vivos habitan en un área pequeña cerca de sus hogares. Para mayor información, pulse “aquí”.

Si desea participar en Panamá, deje aquí su comentario. Los materiales, métodos y entrenamiento serán anunciados posteriormente. [translation kindly provided by Hilda Pitti]

Actualización del 31 de marzo de 2007: Si prefiere participar en el biorelámpago de manera privada, sírvase enviar un mensaje electrónico a panamaplants@yahoo.com.