Back in the
field again, now in primary Amazonian rainforest in Tailândia, Pará. We collected
for 2.5 days at Fazenda Agroecológica São Roque, the farm of Milton and Iracema Cordeiro, with the good help of Selma and
Denis from UFRA (Federal Rural University of Amazonia). Milton and his cowboys
drove us around in the forest, showing us what the original vegetation of the
area looked like, now it's sadly just small remnants in the vast agricultural
landscape.
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| On Milton's porch before going out first day |
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| Heading for the forest |
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| In Milton's pickup |
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| Crossing a brook |
Big butterflies were flying around, including Morphos (but they were impossible to photograph).
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| A BIG butterfly |
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| Group photo |
We found
mostly Eschatogonia species, but also some Phyllopsora and probably the
sorediate ‘Sporacestra’ that Sonja and Einar found in Caixuana in March.
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| Malin collecting the sorediate 'Sporacestra' |
Milton’s
farm is a true paradise, even with a swimming pool that is just wonderful in the
heat. They grow açai palms, tap medicinal sap from rainforest trees, and really
care for their forest.
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| Swimming! |
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Tapping sap from rainforest tree
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Iracema prepared wonderful lunches for us both days in her outdoor kitchen.
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| A big lepidoptera in the yard |
After a hot day in the field, it was lovely to come back to the hotel for a shower and spend an hour or so preparing the specimens. But the wine was terrible: sweet! And we had brought 2 l.
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| Preparing the specimens |
Last evening Milton arranged a cocktail party for municipality dignitaries, including the present and former mayors, informing them what we were doing and possibly preparing contacts for future research in Tailândia's rainforests. Even TV turned up, and Milton and Einar got interviewed, see http://portaltailandia.com.br/. Sonja's cold is unfortunately getting worse, and she preferred to stay in bed that evening.
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| Einar getting interviewed |
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| Milton getting interviewed |
Next: São Paulo!
It really looks great!
ReplyDeleteAll are more than welcome to visit us again. We are glad to show how important the forest is to us.
ReplyDeleteThe visit was pleasure. All are more than welcome to come back and also bring new people to learn and to go inside the forest. Just let us know.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Iracema and Milton !!! It is very nice to see that the Agroecologica São Roque Farm is once again providing a service to the scientific community and international at this time!
The Sao Roque Agroecologic Farm has been doing an excellent job helping to preserve the Amazon forest. Congratulations to everyone who works in the farm. Best of all is to see local potential, in research and preservation, beginning to be recognized. I hope that the visit of international researchers to cause government agencies also assist agro-ecological farm in the fight against deforestation and for the Amazon biodiversity
ReplyDeleteWe should have more initiatives like this of Fazenda Agroecológica São Roque! Great job to preserve our biggest asset as nation: our nature. Congratulations, guys!!
ReplyDeletethe Amazon forest is a good of all, this initiative of the São Roque farm it is something that has to be supported and valued. congratulations for the project and that the forest can be utilized in an intelligent and sustainable way. By: Fabricio Silva
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the Sao Roque Agroecologic Farm for such a great initiative. Hope that the farm continues the amazing work, contributing for the Amazon forest preservation.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see that there are still people taking care of our biggest gift.. The Mother Nature! Thank you all for the work!
ReplyDeleteGood job! Hopefully this project will continue to help the region. Fazenda Agroecológica São Roque thanks you for the visit and hard work!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful initiative. Amazon is a great treasure and we need to preserve it! Save our Amazon.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Farm São Roque. Rafaela Guará