When I receive invitations to participate in projects that involve field expeditions as a photographer and biologist, or those that are part of my research projects, I am always filled with a great emotion that I cannot hide, due to my interest by nature; especially if it is Colombia. It does not matter if it is a remote place in the Amazon jungle or if it is in a place close to my place of residence, there will always be a new story to tell and unique moments to enjoy, share, study, photograph and, above all, learn and value.
Regularly, the work implies interacting with multidisciplinary teams of wonderful people with high professional quality: researchers and university professors (geologists, biologists, sociologists, etc), local guides, and inhabitants of the territory. I have had the opportunity to share unforgettable experiences in magical regions with highly conserved ecosystems, but also with a high risk of threat or human impact. Here, in the field, I have been able to see first-hand the great work being done by different institutions to consolidate a participative and comprehensive territorial management on the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic aspects of biodiversity.
These are some of the stories told through an amazing journey by Colombia…
BITA RIVER
Mission
Photographer
Year
2016
Project Objective
Gather biological information to support the process by which Bita was declared as the first protected river in Colombia
Orinoco Basin
Colombia
Organizers
IAvH, Minambiente, Vichada Government, Fundación Omacha
Collaborators
WWF, Universidad Nacional, Universidad del Quindio, Universidad de la Guajira, Universidad del Tolima, Flynorth
87
macroinvertebrados acuáticos
19
anfibios
1474
plantas
201
aves
3
esponjas de agua dulce
87
crustáceos
decápodos
254
peces
Species
diversity
38
reptiles
63
mamíferos
GUAYABERO RIVER
Mission
Ichthyologist and Photographer
Year
2018
Project Objective
Contribute to the biological evaluation of the Natural Park Sierra de la Macarena
Orinoco Basin
Colombia
Organizers
IAvH, Minambiente, Cormacarena
Collaborators
Universidad de la Salle, Mikolji.com, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad Nacional, Universidad del Quindio, Universidad de la Guajira, Instituto SINCHI, Biophotonature, Fundación Omacha, Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, Universidad del Tolima, Universidad de Ibagué, Drexel University, Ecoamen
114
macroinvertebrados acuáticos
39
anfibios
62
ficoperifiton
737
aves
20
algas epífitas
242
peces
Species
diversity
68
reptiles
31
mamíferos
IR30 BAJO CAGUÁN
Mission
Ichthyologist and Fish Photographer
Year
2018
Project Objective
Establishment of a conservation figure
regional of 779,857 hectares with direct use by indigenous and peasant communities that inhabit this landscape. Maintain a natural ecological corridor that connects the plant and animal communities of two important natural parks in the Colombian Amazon - the PNN Serranía de Chiribiquete and La Paya -
Amazonas Basin
Colombia
Organizers
The Field Museum, Fundación para la Conservación y el Desarrollo Sostenible
Collaborators
PNNN de Colombia, WCS, The Nature Conservancy, Corazón de la Amazonía, WWF, Cooperación Alemana, The Amazon Conservation Team, Universidad del Tolima, Universidad de Ibagué, Universidad de la Amazonía, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Resguardo Indígena (RI) Uitoto, Cabildo Indígena Uitorá, RI Aguas Negras, ASCAINCA, Asociación Campesina de Núcleo 1 de bajo Caguán, Vereda (V.) La Pizarra, V. Tres troncos, V. La Maná, V. Peregrinos, Corporación Geopatrimonio
55
anfibios
790
plantas
408
aves
139
peces
Species
diversity
42
reptiles
62
mamíferos
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