CTFS - ForestGEO wrapped up its fifth, annual Dimensions of
Biodiversity data-analysis workshop in Gamboa, Panama—home of the Smithsonian Tropical
Research Institute. Thanks to all 57 participants from 20 countries around the
network, CTFS - ForestGEO had another
productive year in forest research!
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| Workshop participants in Gamboa, Panama |
Workshop priorities followed suit from previous
years: to bring a global network to a local place to foster research and scientific
collaborations among the CTFS – ForestGEO members. Every workshop is an
opportunity to explore the latest research ideas with colleagues and meet new network
researchers in person.
The workshop is an ongoing collaboration between CTFS –
ForestGEO and the Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network with the
Chinese Academy of Sciences. The National Science Foundation has provided
financial support for the workshops since the summer of 2011.
At the workshop, participants hunkered down on
forest plot analyses focused on biomass and carbon storage, gradients of diversity,
time-series analyses of forest dynamics, and much more. Breaks from data analyses
and computer screens ensued throughout the day as participants heard scientific
presentations and provided feedback on forest research happening around the global
network. With 57 forest scientists in
one room, there was no lack of expertise! Local Smithsonian Tropical Research
Institute scientists also joined the discussions and presented talks on the
history of Panama and the immense amount of research occurring in tropical,
Panamanian ecosystems.
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| Gathering on Day 1! |
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| Tony Coates revealing the history of Panama (photo courtesy C. Chang-Yang) |
Early inspiration for questions about forest dynamics came from
a field trip to the CTFS – ForestGEO pioneer plot, Barro Colorado Island (BCI).
An 8 AM boat ride through the Panama Canal brought the participants to BCI,
where they all climbed to the first of the now 63 forest dynamics plots in the
CTFS – ForestGEO network. Everyone had a
chance to get a glimpse of the 302 tree
species in the plot. Back at the workshop hotel site, the BCI plant taxonomy guru and leader of the eighth
BCI forest census, Rolando Pérez, walked everyone through the history
and species of the local area on a guided natural-history tour of Panama’s
diverse plant and animal life. Gamboa, Panama certainly provided an appropriate
backdrop for a forest-studies workshop.
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| Peter Umunay (works with Ituri, Dem. Rep. of Congo forest plot) at BCI |
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| Learning about the BCI plot species (photo courtesy S. Mattson) |
The workshop ended with a full day of scientific
presentations. All participants shared their hot-off-the-press research
findings that they discovered within the two-week workshop and received
feedback and ideas about how to keep their research projects moving forward.
A final rendezvous at the butterfly garden celebrated the success
of the fifth Dimensions of Biodiversity workshop. A big thanks to everyone who
participated, and CTFS - ForestGEO looks
forward to hearing about your ongoing research projects!
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| Goodbye's at the Rainforest Resort's Butterfly House in Gamboa, Panama (photo courtesy C. Chang-Yang) |
See a slideshow of more workshop photos below:
Created with flickr slideshow.
Created with flickr slideshow.