El Silencio Research Station

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Read the latest updates about
El Silencio Research Station in our Blog

A video from our earlier fundraising campaign with which we raised funds to build the research station

Why do research in the Barbacoas?

Barbacoas is one of the last remaining opportunities for conservation of this type of ecosystem in Colombia. We have build our facilities to the highest environmental standards, using environmentally friendly materials, renewable energy, and water and waste management. The center hosts researchers, students and nature enthusiasts from all over the world, drawing public and scientific focus to this important site.

Visit the El Silencio Reserve and Research Station project page

AMOBLADA PLANTA 2CORTESFACHADAS NOR-SUR-2
© Designed by Mariangela Rodriguez-Buriticá, Architect, Master of Design Science in Sustainable Design (click to enlarge)

 

Why preserve the Middle Magdalena Valley natural ecosystems?

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, housing 10% of the planet’s species of plants and animals. The rainforests and wetlands of the Middle Magdalena valley in central Colombia are among the most diverse ecosystems of the country and host numerous endemic species, i.e. species that only exist in this region. Unfortunately, extensive cattle farming and agriculture, illegal logging and hunting, as well as mining and oil exploitation have driven to severe deforestation and degradation of forest and wetlands. Currently less than 15% of the original forest area still survives, and deforestation continues at an alarming rate, making it one of the most endangered ecosystems in Colombia and threatening many of these species with extinction.

Barbacoas: one of the last chances for this ecosystem

Alouatta seniculus (AF Aponte)

The wetlands and forests of Barbacoas represent one of the last opportunities to conserve this unique     ecosystem, since they contain one of the most extensive and best preserved forest patches in the whole region. Barbacoas still houses jaguars and other large felines, manatees, large groups of spider monkeys and white-footed tamarins, tortoises, and many other species that are highly threatened or endemic to the region.

© Andrés Felipe Aponte-Alouatta seniculus– at Colombia, Antioquia, Barbacoas, Magdalena Medio.

Furthermore, endangered fine-wood species also survive in its forests: mahogany, Colombian mahogany, cedar, Spanish cedar and others. However, Barbacoas is not excluded from the dangers that threaten the whole region. Satellite images indicate that, if current deforestation rates continue without intervention, the whole forest could disappear in less than 20 years. Fundación Biodiversa Colombia has been established in this area since 2009, researching, raising awareness and working hand with hand with the local community, the landowners and the environmental authorities to preserve this natural jewel for future generations. The aim is to declare Barbacoas a protected area where the need for conservation is coupled with sustainable productivity. We are also working to improve social conditions for the local community and to increase their involvement in the management of these natural resources.

 

El Silencio Reserve and Research Station 

Oxybelis aeneus (AF Aponte)

In 2010, with a donation of IUCN – The Netherlands, we had the opportunity to buy a small natural reserve in Barbacoas. We then built the first research station in the area as an operational base for conservation and scientific study, as well as working together with stakeholders. In the reserve, we not only carry out biological research but also investigate sustainable economic alternatives compatible with conservation, including productive reforestation with local timber species, sustainable cattle farming and biological agriculture.

© Andrés Felipe Aponte – Oxybelis aeneus- at Colombia, Antioquia, Barbacoas, Magdalena Medio 

We built this research station with housing and lab facilities to host researchers, schools and university students and nature enthusiasts from around the world who wish to visit and study this natural jewel. By having a permanent base camp, we are able to carry out continuous research and improve our understanding of this unique ecosystem and the species that inhabit it. We use the station to train local community members as researchers and leaders in natural resources management and sustainable agriculture, empowering them as key actors in the future of this land. Also, we continue seeking sustainable land-use projects that can coexist with and benefit from the conservation of the natural environment, contributing to its long term preservation.

 

Cienaga Javas (Antioquia)  © Andrés Felipe Aponte — at Colombia, Antioquia, Barbacoas, Magdalena Medio

Some of our findings in Barbacoas to date:

    • Birds:
      267 species (more than ⅓ of the species in all Europe), 4 endemic, 1 critically endangered.
      Includes: Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti, CR endemic).
    • Large and medium mammals:
      34 species, 7 endangered in different degrees and 6 nearly threatened, 1 endemic.Includes:
      – Spider monkey (Ateles hybridus, CR, nearly endemic), among the 25 most threatened primates in the world.
      – White-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus, EN, endemic with very restricted distribution), one of the species with most need of conservation in Colombia.
      – Manatee (Thrichechus manatus, VU), the most southern population reported in the Magdalena basin, almost extinct in the region.
      – Tapir (Tapirus terrestris, CR) and White-lipped pecari (Tayassu pecari, NT), which was thought to be extinct in the Middle Magdalena region.
      – Jaguar (Panthera onca), Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), Grey-handed night monkey (Aotus griseimembra), vulnerable species.
      – Large felines such as the Puma (Puma concolor, NT) and the Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis and L. weidii).
      Among others.
    • Reptiles: 42 species, 4 threatened species. Includes: Magdalena River turtle (Podocnemis lewyana, CR, endemic), Red-footed turtoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria, CR, presumed extinct in the wild in central Colombia), American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus, CR) and Colombian slider (Trachemys callirostris, NT)
    • Amphibians: 27 species, 2 endemic frogs, 1 endemic and threatened salamander: Lozano’s salamander (Bolitoglossa lozanoi, EN)
    • Ants: 135 species that represent 15% of the species of all Colombia. It is estimated that this could go up to 19-21%.

 

Visit the El Silencio Reserve and Research Station project page

At Colombia, Antioquia, Barbacoas, Magdalena Medio


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