update Updated 26 March 2025
category Biodiversity preservation News
Written by: Alex M. Cubas-Rodriguez (Protected Areas Coordinator, AESMO) and Ángel Zuniga (Technician-Forest Ranger)
As part of its commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management, the Ecological Association of San Marcos de Ocotepeque (AESMO) conducted a series of biological monitoring activities in its areas of influence. These actions aim to assess the state of ecosystems, identify changes in biodiversity, and generate key information for decision-making in protected area and watershed management.
During this period, eleven biological monitoring activities were carried out across different strategic zones:
- Güisayote Biological Reserve: 2 monitoring sessions
- Volcán Pacayita Biological Reserve: 2 monitoring sessions
- Roger Wilson Conservation and Monitoring Base: 1 monitoring session
- Río Hondo Micro-watershed: 3 monitoring sessions
- Cerro Negro Micro-watershed: 3 monitoring sessions
These monitoring activities evaluated various biological groups, including flora, fauna, and key ecological indicators. Standardized methodologies were implemented, such as linear transects, camera trap sampling, acoustic monitoring, water quality analysis, and biodiversity records using geospatial tools and citizen science applications.
Importance of Biological Monitoring in Environmental Management
Biological monitoring is a fundamental tool for the early detection of ecosystem changes, allowing the assessment of factors such as climate change, habitat fragmentation, and anthropogenic pressure. The data obtained from these evaluations are essential for strengthening conservation strategies, ecological restoration, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
In biological reserves, monitoring helps establish biodiversity baselines and evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies. In micro-watersheds, these studies contribute to monitoring water quality and the ecological health of aquatic ecosystems—key aspects for the water security of local communities.
Commitment to Science Applied to Conservation
Through these efforts, AESMO reaffirms its commitment to applied research and adaptive ecosystem management in its areas of influence. The information generated from these monitoring activities will be used to design more effective conservation measures, promoting community participation and strengthening local capacities to protect natural resources.
Strengthening community and scientific biological monitoring is a priority to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems in the region. In this regard, AESMO will continue to promote research and conservation actions to build an environmental management model based on scientific evidence and local knowledge.