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Manu Biological Station
Established in 2010, Manu Biological Station protects 9,000 acres of tropical forests in the buffer zone of Manu National Park, Peru. With elevations spanning between 480 and 1200 meters and surrounded by the rivers that form the impressive Madre de Dios River, Manu encompasses diverse ecological systems that harbour some of the highest biodiversity on the planet.
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Their mission is to discover and understand the biodiversity of the Andes-Amazon and to build innovative science - driven, field-based conservation programs in partnership with indigenous people, policy makers and civil society.
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Scroll down to discover how Manu Biological Station reach their conservation goals of Discovery, Understanding and Protection.
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The Team
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Research
Manu Biological Station provides research and educational opportunities to monitor and study in real-time the impacts of global change and other pressures on biodiversity and ecosystem function of the Andes-Amazon.
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Their team of field biologists work in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and on a variety of topics including -
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Entomological Biodiversity - invertebrate studies
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Soundscape Baseline Project - monitoring soundscape changes
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Ichthyofauna - freshwater fish diversity in the Amazon
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Camera Trapping - monitor wildlife populations in the jungle
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Climate Change & Biodiversity Monitoring
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Manu Biological Station welcomes scientists from around the world to conduct their own research from the station.
Reforestation
Amongst huge areas of relatively healthy forest, there are a number of old plantations, and even a disused airstrip. When gaps are created in a healthy forest, whether through agriculture or selective logging, these vulnerabilities are often exploited by invasive bamboo species. The bamboo moves in quickly and suffocates native vegetation, ultimately reducing the diversity of both flora and fauna within a region. Once bamboo has taken hold in a wild space, it can be very difficult to bring back under control.
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In addition to rewilding the patches of old agricultural land at the station, the goal with the Reforestation program is to better understand the process by which bamboo takes over a forest, and learn how to reverse it. It’s hoped that in doing so, Manu can develop a model that can be employed by other locations experiencing similar challenges.
Regenerative Agriculture
Manu strive to become a fully self-sufficient food program that works with, rather than against, the surrounding environment. The program is designed to secure food access and progressively improve agricultural ecosystems by cultivating fertile and healthy soils, diversifying cropping systems, and collaborating with local and indigenous communities in the region.
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This is currently being achieved through a combination of agroforestry systems, including aquaculture (native Paco fish farming), permaculture using Peruvian native crops, composting, meliponiculture (native bee farming), and a medicinal garden. There are also additional plans for a fungi cultivation program, a more diverse vegetable garden, a transition to vermicomposting (worm composting), and the introduction of chickens later in the year.
VOlunteering
The volunteer program has been designed as a dynamic, mutually beneficial experience, providing a variety of unique experiential learning opportunities for participants, as they contribute to the station’s biodiversity monitoring, reforestation and regenerative agriculture programs.
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This is the perfect opportunity for anyone with love of nature and a passion for protecting the planet, and no prior skills are required to participate. Discounts apply for longer visits, and all proceeds from the volunteer program are reinvested directly back into science and conservation here at Manu Biological Station.
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Click the image below to Find Out More!
Interested in volunteering? Click the logo to find out more!
