Description

The Dzilam State Reserve is a key area to pilot the use of technology for its conservation and effective management. Its 18,979.55 hectares of mangroves lay ground for fertile replicable interventions to showcase the power of technology to support science-based decision-making for conservation and restoration action as well as the subsequent monitoring of these actions to ensure the transparency of the results and their success in general.

Furthermore, the Yucatan Peninsula supports the most important jaguar population in the country. Because of this, this region is considered a Priority I Jaguar Conservation Area.

Project objectives for the site

The two monitoring levels of the project are:

1. Ecosystem level monitoring: Strengthen monitoring, conservation and understanding of the effects of climate change on biodiversity in the Dzilam StateReserve through the deployment of Rainforest Connection’s eco-acoustic monitoring devices and camera traps in coastal mangroves, low deciduous forest and peténs, monitoring: jaguar presence, species richness, animal vocalizations and human activities.
2. Species level monitoring: Strengthen jaguar monitoring and develop an image analysis algorithm for the identification and classification of jaguars (Panthera onca), in coastal mangroves, low deciduous forest, peténs and vegetation associated with agricultural activities. This will allow connectivity between existing projects on jaguar monitoring and conservation in adjacent areas and natural reserves along the yucatecan coast.

The project will include harnessing Rainforest Connection’s technology and Huawei’s Minds Spore Computing platform technology to amplify conservation and enrichment efforts in mangrove ecosystems.

The combination of the information collected by the eco acoustic monitoring devices and cameras, will provide decision-makers and stakeholders with a better understanding of the conservation status of the ecosystems, behavioral patterns of the species that inhabit this important Reserve, as well as the impacts of extreme events (hurricanes and floods) have in these important ecosystems.

Watch, Listen, See

All photos belong to: Secretaría de Desarrollo Sustentable del Gobierno del Estado de Yucatán (SDS Yucatán)