Research

There are a number of interesting scientific projects taking place at REGUA. Below are some summaries of the past and current projects. REGUA is aiming to increase the number of studies undertaken. Please contact us if you have any enquiries or wish to discuss a proposal for research or study in the Atlantic Rainforest.

Agenda 21 Plan. REGUA completes this social study of Cachoeiras de Macacu in December 2006. Funds have been obtained from the Federal Government in Brazilia. In this study, REGUA is working with the local authorities in the sustainable development of Cachoeiras de Macacu municipality. Agenda 21 focusses on how society can be more sustainable and efficient. It analyses 3 aspects, which are economic viability, social inclusion and environmental awareness. A survey, carried out by selected local leaders, such as union representatives or church leaders asks the community a number of issues. For example, if they have water supply, sewage connection, level of education attained, local transportation, leisure facilities and health issues.

It aims to carry out and publish a social and environmental diagnosis of Cachoeiras de Macacu, organise 14 public workshops, hold a three day seminary to elaborate the Agenda 21, publish the Agenda 21 and create and support a forum to monitor the implementation of the Agenda 21.

REGUA is one of a few organizations participating in this project. There is a set criteria before an organization can participate; it has to have relevant qualified persons and have an infrastructure to support it. Fortunately, REGUA was able to show this and as a consequence, is involved in this very significant piece of research.

BIOMAS Rapid Assessment. BIOMAS is a very well known NGO specializing in fauna and flora research led by University professors from the RJ State University. They came to REGUA to undertake a rapid assessment of some of the fauna in late 2004 and found in a few days 16 reptiles, 25 amphibeans, 115 birds and 38 mammals present in the low lying secondary forest, and concluded that REGUA offers excellent habitats and is most important for conservation.

Otter Survey. One of our first volunteers - Fran Southgate, the Sussex Wetland and Otters Officer from the UK, spent two months at REGUA in early 2006. Her research focused on:

During her time at REGUA, Fran mapped out the whole Guapi-Assu River and put together a data sheet, which gives a guideline to visitors on how to recognize the presence of otters in the local rivers. Fran was lucky to see otters and signs of healthy activity, leading her to conclude that there are healthy populations along the 4km of river bed. This news and her contributing work has attracted other biologists to visit and continue this important research project.

Tree Survey. Another volunteer, Caterina Torroni from Switzerland also provided invaluable assistance during her stay with at REGUA. She carried out research counting trees in different places in the forest, with the aim of establishing how many trees are in a hectare of forest; the difference between a primary and secondary forest; and which species are present. Her findings were included in a report which will be used when future research of the forest is carried.

Reintroduction of the Red-billed Curassows (Crax blumenbachii). Dr Christine Steiner of the São Carlos University from São Paulo is studying these very rare birds, since their reintroduction at REGUA in 2006. Her study is entitled "Behaviour ecology of the reintroduced Red billed curassow population through radio tracking at Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve" This project was possible through the partnership between REGUA and the organization, Crax-Brazil, who together are enabling the Red-billed Curassow action plan to commence in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Click here to find out more.

Socio-economic studies. There is a Conservation International project, between REGUA and the organisation TEREVIVA which has studied the local communities, Estreito and Guapiaçu. A socio-economic diagnosis has been carried out and the local communities have been made aware of the importance of the surrounding park.

Wetland monitoring programme. RJ State University Professor Tim Moulton is undertaking a study of water quality at the REGUA wetlands. Tim is particularly interested in measuring the daily cycle of oxygen dissolved in the water, because any oxygen low point would be expected to occur at night or in the early morning - when the algae and other plants are not producing oxygen by photosynthesis, but are respiring oxygen, along with the other organisms and micro-organisms. One of the indications of pollution and/or eutrophication is that a relatively large amount of oxygen is respired at night and the level of oxygen in the water can become low. If the level becomes too low, like zero, for part of the night, fish and other aquatic organisms that breathe oxygen from the water - die. In May 2006 Tim acquired a multi-parameter probe and logger or "Hydrolab" probe ("sonde" is a term that is used quite often). This measures pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, depth and oxygen. Tim´s first overnight readings showed a very healthy oxygen curve and hardly any drop at night. We need to do a lot more of this work in different points and at different depths, but the signs point to a very health system.

Woolly Spider Monkey (Muriquis) Project. The RJ Federal University have sent one of their top zoology students, Andre Cunha to REGUA after hearing about the repeated sightings by Rildo, one of our rangers, of the very rare and endangered, Woolly Spider Monkey in January 2006. Andre spent a very wet weekend in the forest and after two days caught sight of a family with young close to his tent. He was absolutely amazed to see these animals so easily and as a result, Conservation International are accompanying very closely his visits here which could prove REGUA a top site in the state to see these animals. A shelter has recently been built and the surrounding trails have been forged a bit further and higher into the reserve to facilitate the study of these animals.