Publications
An offspring from the northernmost population of Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae)
Researchers documented the first verified reproduction of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in northern Central America, specifically within the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras. This significant finding, captured during a camera trap survey from November 2021 to January 2022, represents the northernmost record of giant anteater reproduction and highlights the ecological importance of the Wuarska site in Colón department. The discovery underscores the site's role as a critical habitat for this species, while also raising concerns about population connectivity due to illegal deforestation and poaching, which pose substantial threats to the species' survival in Honduras.
Multi-decadal shoreline change in coastal natural world heritage sites – a global assessment
A global assessment of shoreline change in coastal Natural World Heritage Sites (NWHS) reveals that 14% of these sites exhibit significant and rapid erosion or accretion, with mean rates of -3.4 meters per year and +3.5 meters per year, respectively. These extreme changes are primarily driven by sediment redistribution influenced by natural coastal morphodynamics—such as the opening of inlets (e.g., Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve) or alongshore sediment transport gradients—and human interventions like sand nourishment or river damming. The study, utilizing satellite-derived shoreline datasets from 1984 to 2016, found that low-lying vegetated tidal systems and deltas at the mouths of large rivers are particularly vulnerable. While relative sea-level rise correlates with shoreline retreat in some regions (e.g., Wadden Sea), its global impact on NWHS remains uncertain but is a growing concern. The findings underscore the need for future management plans to account for these dynamics, which threaten heritage values and coastal communities.
Northernmost record of Chiroderma trinitatum (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Latin America, with distributional comments
Researchers have documented the northernmost record of Chiroderma trinitatum, a rare bat species within the family Phyllostomidae, extending its known range by over 527 kilometers from Costa Rica to Ciudad Blanca in eastern Honduras. This discovery significantly expands the distributional knowledge of this uncommon species and marks a new faunal record for Honduras, which now includes 111 bat species. The findings underscore the importance of further conservation efforts within the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, particularly in its core area that encompasses the historical site Ciudad Blanca. The study highlights the biodiversity richness of the region while emphasizing the need for continued research to safeguard this unique ecosystem.
On the conservation of Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) in the core of Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras
Researchers document the first recorded sightings of the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) within the core zone of Honduras' Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (RPBR), a critical biodiversity hotspot. Using 24 camera traps deployed over 1,512 hours between May 2017 and January 2019, the study captured two images of the species, highlighting its presence in this protected area. The findings underscore the RPBR's role in safeguarding vulnerable species like the giant anteater, which faces threats from illegal hunting, agricultural expansion, and unsustainable resource exploitation. Conservation efforts targeting M. tridactyla could also benefit other endangered species, including the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), and jaguar (Panthera onca). The study emphasizes the need for stronger protection measures to mitigate human-induced pressures in this UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve.
First records of Mimon cozumelae Goldman, 1914 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve in northeastern Honduras
Researchers document the first confirmed presence of the Cozumel fruit-eating bat (Mimon cozumelae) within the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras. This discovery extends the species' known range by over 500 km northeastward, providing critical data for conservation efforts in this UNESCO-listed tropical rainforest. The study employed field surveys and digital treatment of taxonomic records to validate the identification, contributing to a broader understanding of bat diversity in Mesoamerica's lowland forests.
The Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve
Contemporary Indigenous struggles over land and territory in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras, are both historical contests and present-day battles against state and elite dehumanization. Despite landmark legislation awarding territorial rights to Miskito Territorial Councils since 2013, the Miskito peoples face persistent threats from colono land invasions and extractivist development, which perpetuates colonial logics of race and gender. This study reveals that biodiversity conservation and extractive development are intertwined, often employed to marginalize Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Using a blend of ethnographic data, news media, archival documents, development reports, and secondary literature, the research exposes the violence embedded in these practices, challenging narratives of modernity and development while highlighting the resilience of Miskito land defenders.
From Cognitive Maps to Transparent Static Web Maps: Tools for Indigenous Territorial Control in La Muskitia, Honduras
Indigenous Miskitu, Tawahka, and Pech communities in Honduras, in collaboration with university geographers, have developed transparent static web maps as a tool for maintaining indigenous territorial control. This approach allows them to share their cognitive maps publicly while retaining the original design and intended representation of their lands. The project began with large-scale paper maps created in 1998–1999 during the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve participatory research mapping (PRM) initiative, which were later digitized into GIS vector files by 2012 and converted to web-based transparent static maps between 2013–2014. This method addresses the challenge of public access to map data without losing control over its representation, offering a solution for long-term indigenous land management while reflecting distinct indigenous concepts and practices.
Large- and Medium-Sized Mammal Survey Using Camera Traps in the Sikre River in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras
A camera-trap survey along the Sikre River in Honduras' Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve revealed a rich diversity of large and medium-sized mammals, including threatened species like the giant anteater. The study recorded 14 mammal, three bird, and one reptile species over 2,040 trap-nights, with the Baird's tapir being the most frequently captured. Notably, pumas and ocelots were documented multiple times, while a single jaguar photograph from a prior survey suggested its presence. Unlike the pine savanna, where no animals were recorded, broad-leaf forest areas hosted significant biodiversity, comparable to other Central and South American sites. This highlights the Sikre River's importance as a conservation priority within the reserve.
The coexistence of Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and indigenous hunters in northeastern Honduras
Indigenous hunters in northeastern Honduras play a crucial role in the survival of Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii), despite hunting rates exceeding sustainable levels. The study, conducted over four months within the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, mapped hunting zones and interviewed community members to understand tapir harvesting patterns. Findings reveal that tapirs persist near communities due to the presence of unhunted forest areas and anthropogenic habitats created by shifting cultivation. This suggests that indigenous hunters may contribute positively to tapir conservation across its range, challenging assumptions about human-wildlife conflict in endangered species management.
Está listo(Are you ready)? Gender, race and land registration in theRío PlátanoBiosphere Reserve
A proposed state land registration project in Honduras' Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve threatens to undermine Miskito women's customary access to family lands, intensifying intra-Miskito conflicts shaped by gender and racialization. The study finds that Miskito women's rights to land are contingent on their ability to negotiate 'patriarchal bargains' with men within the reserve. Using ethnographic research, it highlights how global conservation and sustainable development practices may inadvertently erode indigenous tenure securities. This work sheds light on the gendered dimensions of protected area management and its broader implications for indigenous customary land rights.
Impacts of indigenous subsistence hunting on wildlife abundance in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras
Indigenous subsistence hunting significantly impacts wildlife abundance in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras. The study reveals that targeted hunting practices, particularly those focusing on large mammals and game birds, have led to noticeable declines in certain species populations over time. Researchers analyzed long-term data on wildlife abundance, combining traditional ecological knowledge with scientific surveys to assess the effects of hunting pressure on biodiversity. This work highlights the complex interplay between indigenous practices and conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for sustainable management strategies that balance cultural traditions with ecological preservation.
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