Earthwatch: Brazil - Blazing the Biodiversity Trail in Brazil

Help scientists preserve Brazilian biodiversity by studying first-hand how jaguar, puma, and other key species move across the agricultural landscape around Emas National Park.

The Araguaia River corridor is a natural connection between the highly fragmented and threatened cerrado and the vast wilderness of the Amazonian rainforest, a stronghold for many species. At the headwaters of the river lies Emas National Park, where species such as the jaguar, puma, maned-wolf, tapir, and giant anteater roam. You’re needed to help find out how these species are using the land around the Park. This is especially important now, as the rapid expansion of sugar cane in the area for biofuel production may work as a barrier for these animals as they move through the corridor.

You’ll record and map the occurrence of the indicator species, and analyze these data to understand which factors influence the presence of these species in this region. You’ll help install camera traps around the sugar cane plantations to record the species that use these areas. (The odds that you’ll see a jaguar in person are very, very slim.) In addition, we will use specially trained scat-detector dogs to seek out feces of the species of interest.

If you’re lucky, you may have the opportunity to help equip individual animals with radio transmitters to monitor their movements and learn about their spatial demands and habitat use.