LLU-ESSE21
Mesoamerica Projects

This is an interdisciplinary capstone field research program within the ESS (Earth System Science) core course sequence at LLU-SST. It originally started as a May-term course for undergraduates at Westminster College of Salt Lake City. The goal was to provide the opportunity for students to learn while doing good though short tourist-oriented travel-study side-trips to cultural sites such as the Mayan ruins at Copan were also included.

The primary learning focus is on applying in practice the concepts and tools of science and technology for sustainability and using field analytical tools such as GPS, ArcPAD (mobile GIS) and other ecological monitoring and assessment instruments (focused on ecosystems analysis, e.g. water, land, air, ecosystems), as well as qualitative research methods such as PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) to better understand human-environment interactions as they affect sustainability. Places chosen for case study analysis include both domestic and international regions (see ESSC 575).

The Principal Investigator (PI) Robert Ford was a Fulbright Scholar in Honduras in 1998 and was born and raised in the Bay Islands. In August 1999 he went to USAID for four years where he continued efforts on issues such as disaster mitigation including post-Hurricane George's impact work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and other Natural Resource Management (NRM) development policy analysis.

The current field partners are local, regional, and global NGOs, government, and university entities focused on analysis and mitigation of hazards, biodiversity, and other sustainability issues that affect the coastal and insular zone of the North Coast, the Bay Islands, the Mosquitia region of Honduras, and the Gulf of Fonseca region on the Pacific Coast.

Current problem themes emphasize basic science and policy issues related to human impacts on natural systems such as reefs, estuaries, deltas, savannas, mangrove swamps, rivers, beaches, forests in protected areas in Honduras such as Cuero y Salado (see satellite image), Pico Bonito National Park, Isla del Tigre, La Botija/Cerro Guanacaure as well as the human "sustainability" issues related to surrounding settlement patterns and agro-ecosystems.

The course is part of the LLU ESSE21 project (ESSC 575) and provides a mechanism for faculty and graduate students to work jointly in the field on integrative "real world" policy and basic science issues that are place-based and, that approach the research questions from a sustainability science and social policy perspective.


Click for larger image

RESEARCH PLANS and ACTIVITIES - 2004-7:

Seven graduate students have been participants for 2005-6 and have been working on various topics within the realm of sustainable development, global health, and biodiversity conservation. Two doctoral students are from the program in Social Policy and Social Research (SPOL) within the department of Social Work and Social Ecology (SWSE) while two master's students are from the department of Earth and Biological Sciences (EBS) looking specifically at manatee conservation biology and protection issues in Honduras (the North Coast). Others are working on marine invertebrate biodiversity issues in the Bay Islands (Roatan). A fifth post-doctoral student in molecular biology started exploring collaboration with with medical researchers at UNAH on genetic anthropology and spatial epidemiology research problems. A sixth student from the School of Public Health started work on health geoinformatics and a seventh student in biology started work on herpetetofauna of the Golfo de Fonseca region.

All participants are based in or collaborate with the School of Science and Technology or School of Public Health at Loma Linda University and most work closely with the Geoinformatics Lab for geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and modeling support which is central to the project's research and applied goals. See the ESSC core course sequence in systems modeling and remote sensing (ESSC 541-542) which is a prerequisite to the field course (ESSC 575).

As research activities evolve we will post each student and faculty member's specific plans, presentations, and published results under PI/Co-PI and Student Project Reports 2004-2007.

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WORKSHOP REPORTS:

See workshop resources below focusing on the
application of SDI (Spatial Data Infrastructure)
on NRM (Natural Resource Management):

 

 

On July 12 -14, 2006 a workshop was held at CURLA (Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico) on the topic of: Use of GPS and ArcView for Protected-Area Management. This was part of the Geobrain grant activities LLU is carrying out jointly with the Redlands Institute.

 

Spanish Title: “INTRODUCCIÓN A LOS SISTEMAS DE POSICIONAMIENTO GLOBAL (GPS) Y SU INTEGRACIÓN A PROGRAMAS DE MANEJO DE DATOS GEOGRAFICOS (ARCGIS)”

Participants (see partners) came from several entities around La Ceiba, Honduras and from LLU/SST:

• Pico Bonito National Park
• Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
• MAMUCA
• REHDES
• USAID- MIRA Project
• UNAH
• CURLA

Instructors included:

• Nestor Meneses Chacon, USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras.
• Rafael Corrales, from UNAH (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras), Department of Biological Sciences with the GIS/RS program based at the National Astronomical Observatory at the university (UNAH) Observatorio Astronomico Centroamericano de Suyapa).
• Robert Ford, Loma Linda University
• Manuel Vasquez, PDR/CURLA - coordinator.

Some of the key resources included:

• GPS Basics (English)--Powerpoint - by Paul Burgess, Redlands Institute.
• Basics of GPS (Spanish)--Powerpoint - translated by Rafael Corrales, UNAH

See also:

• Garmin GPS60, DNR Garmin tools as well as
• ESRI, ArcGIS 9.1 (thanks to donations from Ingenieria Gerencial - ESRI Distributor in Honduras and others)
  

  SEE - Converting GPS waypoints, tracklogs, and routes to ArcGIS/ArcView shapefiles. GO TO DNR Garmin Extension for ArcView. link for for DNR Garmin 5.1.1.

= ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NCGC/products/gps/software/dnr-garmin5-arcmap.pdf

download DNR Garmin 5.1.1 from =

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DNRGarmin.html

From April 3-6, 2006 a workshop was jointly hosted at the GIS/RS program based at the Central American Astronomical Observatory of Suyapa at (UNAH)--National Autonomous University of Honduras--Observatorio Astronomico Centroamericano de Suyapa, and by Zamorano-IRBIO (Instituto Regional de Biodiversidad) to be located at Escuela Agricola Panamericana--Zamorano. See also the Zamorano - Cornell - Purdue Partnership.

The primary focus was on exposing the participants to a variety of remote sensing tools, data, and other resources that can be used for NRM (Natural Resource Management) and SDI (Spatial Data Infrastructure) . See some of the presentations and agenda below:

• AGENDA (English and Spanish - PDF file)
• Participants List (Spanish PDF file) (HTML)
• AGENDA TALLER (Spanish): TECNOLOGÍA PARA EL MANEJO Y LA PROTECCIÓN DE LOS RECURSOS NATURALES PARA EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE EN HONDURAS
• Agenda English: Technology for Management and Protection of Honduras’ Natural Resources for Sustainable Development

More resources shared at the workshop will also be linked to the new LLU-ESSE21-LULC Module which focuses on Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) change in Honduras. Soon there will also be a BLOG for data sharing, and collaboration among the partners involved so they can continue work after the workshop. Please feel free to contribute ideas and resources that can be shared.

Contact: Robert E. Ford, Professor, Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, School of Science and Technology. (rford@llu.edu). Tel. 909-558-7507

PRESENTATIONS AND DOCUMENTS:

DAY OF WORKSHOP	PRESENTERS	DOCUMENT LINKS
No. 1 > April 3, 2006 - UNAH-OACS	Tim Foresman, University of Maryland and ISRSE	Land Cover and Land Use for the Future of Honduras (PDF)
	Frank Davenport, Geospatial Science Expert, SERVIR	SERVIR (Cathalac): An Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support System for Mesoamerica (PDF)
	Jorge-Ivan Restrepo, Zamorano, Dir. IRBIO	Instituto Regional de Biodiversidad (ppt)
	David Araque and Oscar Mencia, IHT and Proyecto Turismo Costero Sostenible	ODCH - Proyecto Turismo Costero Sostenible / Proyecto de Desarrollo Regional en el Valle de Copan (PDF)
	Robert E. Ford, LLU-ESSE2, Mesoamerica Project PI	Mesoamerica and Honduras from Space (ppt)
Evening April 3 - to OACS Students	Sally J. Westmoreland, University of Redlands	Remote Sensing for Land Use/Land Cover (PDF)
No. 2 > April 4, 2006 - UNAH-OACS	Tim Foresman, University of Maryland and ISRSE	Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and Shared Networks for Honduras (PDF)
	Joseline Carias, Ordenamiento Territorial, IHT	Visión del Turismo para el Año 2021 (PDF)
	Robert E. Ford, LLU-ESSE2, Mesoamerica Project PI	Loma Linda University Mesoamerican Field Studies Current Status and Plans: Honduras & Belize April 4, 2006 (ppt)
	Rafael Corrales and Lorena Ochoa, UNAH-OACS	Parque Nacional La Tigra: Capacidad de Uso del Suelo y Detección de Cambio (PDF)
No. 3-4 > April 5-6, 2006 - Zamorano	Robert E. Ford, LLU-ESSE2, Mesoamerica Project PI	The LLU-ESSE21 LULC Module (web) and NASA Geobrain Tools (web) and GLCF (Global Land Cover Facility)
	Sally J. Westmoreland, University of Redlands	Introduction to ERDAS Imagine (PDF)

 

Between May 11-12, 2006, the USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras , with several local, regional, and global partners (including LLU-SST) participated in a workshop focusing on hydrological resource issues and problems in Honduras. See some of the presentations, resources, tools, and documents HERE:

 

 

Symposium Title - Titulo:

HERRAMIENTAS PARA EL MANEJO DE LOS RECURSOS HIDRICOS DE HONDURAS

Coordinator Contact - Coordinador:

Guillermo Mendoza, USAID/MIRA: gmendoza@mirahonduras.org

See also: GOOGLE DISCUSSION GROUP = Visite este grupo en la web desde esta URL:

http://groups.google.com/group/investigacion_hidrica_hn

 

UNAH - LLU Health Geoinformatics & Environmental GIS/RS Workshop - Tegucigalpa Honduras (September 5-8, 2005).

 

 

 

This was a joint workshop with the GIS/RS program based at the National Astronomical Observatory at (UNAH)--National University of Honduras--Observatorio Astronomico Centroamericano de Suyapa and the Neurology Training Program, Postgraduate Direction, National Autonomous University of Honduras, Honduras. Contact Dr. Marco Medina: macrotmedina@yahoo.com.

Select Powerpoint Presentations:

• Samuel Soret PPT 66 MB- Ford - PPT 68 MB -
• Timothy Foresman PPT 77MB -
• Lee Greer PPT 15 MB -
• AGENDA (Spanish - DOC).

See articles by Dr. Marco Medina: macrotmedina@yahoo.com:

• Prevalence, incidence, and etiology of epilepsies in rural Honduras: the Salama Study. Medina MT, Duron RM, Martinez L, Osorio JR, Estrada AL, Zuniga C, Cartagena D, Collins JS, Holden KR.
• Honduras Report - Powerpoint/PDF document.
• Neurocycsticercosis (Current Review)
• American Epilepsy Society and American Clinical Neurophysiology Society Joint Annual Meeting - ABSTRACT

 

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PI/Co-PI and Student Project Reports 2004 - 2007:

Robert E. Ford, PI Earth System Science and Social Policy (faculty) - overall coordination and planning.

June 24-27, 2007 -

Presentation: SCGIS Conference (Asilomar, Monterey, CA ) - Using GIS/GPS for Protected-area Management in Honduras and Belize: LLU's ESSE21 and Geobrain Projects.

SPRING / SUMMER 2007:

• Development of a GOOGLE map interface for the two parks above so people can explore the needs of the region and see what our partners are doing.

• More collaboration and research on the water resources issues/problems (with University of Redlands, USGS, WRI, UNAH, CURLA, etc) =
  
  This will include NEW work being done by Jessica Cadriel (SPH - School of Public Health) who is starting work with WWF and FUCSA/USAID-MIRA studying “sustainable livelihood and health policy” issues among fishing peoples in the area.
  

• Tim Wolff–also from the SPH who is now based at Valle de Angeles in Honduras--will also collaborate on environmental health-related issues on the north coast though he will also do work with ADRA/Honduras and the new GIS/OACS program at UNAH/Tegucigalpa.
  

• The USGS / WRI collaboration will build on recent work entitled: Watershed Analysis for the Mesoamerican Reef. This effort will help build capacity of the new Disaster Mitigation Master’s degree at UNAH-Tegucigalpa – to improve datasets, do more specific planning for disaster issues, carry-out training, etc. This work will also collaborate with the UNAH-CURLA campus in La Ceiba which has a focus on the Atlantic coast watersheds.
  

• In the near future, Tom Rossi will begin work focused on “common-property water resource management” issues in select watersheds in the region, i.e. the Rio Cangrejal and nearby basins--to look at conflict, competing economic and social policy issues, energy-issues, etc.
  

• This summer we will also be cooperating with the University of California Irvine and Duke University who will have professors and students using some of our data for field research on monkeys, DNA-bar coding for biodiversity assessments, and coastal zone policy analysis, wetlands research, etc.
  

• Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske and Marie-Lys Bacchus are are continuing their Manatee Research in Belize and Honduras. Both are defending their master’s theses this month.They have both done great work!
  
  Daniel will be entering a PhD program at Duke University in biology this summer and will continue building on his efforts in Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and other areas. Daniel recently went to Panama to lead in a workshop training local scientists on how to use the SONAR device he has pioneered for studying manatees in dark/tropical estuarine environments. Daniel is developing a strong reputation as an innovator in the use of this remote sensing tool for biological research.

• Rob Lovich is continuing expansion of herpetofauna research on the Pacific Coast of Honduras with UNAH, Zamorano and others (Herp project). See PDF field report on recent herpetofauna research in the YORO region and other "cloud forest" areas in the Central Highlands.

March 12 - 25, 2007: Collecting field GPS data with CURLA students for beginning of an Interactive map to support ecoturism planning and marketing, collect geographical and imagery data to support our other SDI work (spatial data infrastructure).

See sample DRAFT maps HERE:

 

November 20-28, 2006 - Planning for development of:

1. An Internet Mapping Service application in support of NRM and Ecotourism activities by various local partners in Honduras (FUPNAPIB - Pico Bonito National Park; FUCSA-Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge; REHDES; CURLA (local branch campus of UNAH; , UNAH's new GIS program in Tegucigalps; and the USAID-MIRA Project).
   
2. Future expansion of herpetofauna research on the Pacific Coast of Honduras with UNAH, Zamorano and others (see Herp project) - see PDF field report on research in the YORO region.

English Report: Herpetofauna in the Honduran Pacific Dry Forest Region (July 2006) (PDF) - for the USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras.

Citation guide: Lovich, R.E., T.S. Akre, M. J. Ryan, N.J. Scott, and R.E. Ford. 2006. Herpetofaunal survey of Cerro Guanacaure, Montaña La Botija and Isla Del Tigre protected areas in southern Honduras. Report prepared for the United States Agency for International Development. 33pp.

Spanish Report: CENSO DE HERPETOFAUNA DE LAS AREAS PROTEGIDAS DE CERRO GUANACAURE, MONTAÑA LA BOTIJA E ISLA DEL TIGRE EN EL SUR DE HONDURAS (September 2006 - PDF - for the USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras.

Guia para anotacion: Lovich, R.E., T.S. Akre, M. J. Ryan, N.J. Scott, and R.E. Ford. 2006. Censo de Herpetofauna de las areas protegidas de Cerro Guanacaure, Montana La Botija, e isla del Tigre en el sur de Honduras. Informe preparado para United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 40pp.

Final Report - Manatee Aerial Surveys, North Coast of Honduras - March/April - for the USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras.

• English version (PDF)
• Spanish version (PDF)

SCGIS (Society Conservation GIS) Presentation - June 25, 2006, San Jose, CA - in association with the SCB (Society for Conservation Biology): PDF Report (10MB) - Powerpoint (64MB) = Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) for National Development and Biodiversity Conservation,

Presented by: Dr. Robert Ford, Loma Linda University; Paul Burgess, The Redlands Institute; Serene Ong, University of Redlands, MS GIS Program

LLU-ESSE21 Module: Land Use / Land Cover Change Module, Cases of Coastal Zone Change from Mesoamerica (Honduras, Central america)

Produced by Robert E. Ford (SST, Loma Linda University) and Paul Burgess, Aditya Agrawal, Sally Westmoreland (Redlands Institute),Miriam Cope, CGISR(California State University, Pomona and Tim Foresman, International Center for Remote Sensing Education under funding from the USRA/ESSE21 Project.

• Overview Report on Plans to FUCSA (La Ceiba, Honduras) - June 2005 = (PPT - 60 MB) (PDF - 13.7 MB)
• ESSE21 Poster - Fairbanks, Alaska Aug. 3-7, 2005 (PPT 7.9 MB) and ESSE21 Annual Meeting PI-Report - Fairbanks, Alaska Aug. 3-7, 2005 (PPT 35.9 MB)

Stephen Dunbar, Marine Biodiversity (faculty) - started an assessment of marine invertebrate biodiversity--spiny-tailed lobster, Queen Conk, and hermit crabs--in the Bay Islands (Eastern Roatan) with two students (September-December 2005). He is doing these studies in association with the USAID/MIRA Project (Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales).

• Steve is also carrying out similar work in Fiji - seeYaqara Bay - Bay of Plenty.
• Steve has also launched a study of sea turtles in Honduras--see TAPS or Sea Turtle Adoption page.

Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske - Biology master's student - is studying manatee diet, distribution and habitat characterization. He has done field work March, and June-August 2005 in Cuero y Salado -see satellite image. In March-April 2006 he organized an aerial survey of manatees in collaboration with scientists from the Wildlife Trust (Cynthia Taylor), biologist Saul Flores of UNAH/Honduras, and a pilot and plane by LightHawk International aerial survey group--funded by the USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras (Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales).

See more on the Manatee Project in Honduras here.

 

 

 



LightHawk article - Winter 2006-2007: Finding the Elusive Manatees of Honduras. By Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske.



Final Report - Manatee Aerial Surveys, North Coast of Honduras - March/April 2006

• English version (PDF)
• Spanish version (PDF)



Thesis: Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske. Status and Distribution of Manatees in Honduras and the Use of Side-Scan Sonar (PDF). LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY, School of Science and Technology in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies. June 2007.

Presentation (PDF): SMBC, Society for Mesoamerican Biology and Conservation Congress, November 22, 2005, La Ceiba Honduras: USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras (Proyecto Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales) Symposium: Biodiversidad en las Areas Protegidas de Honduras: Resultados Preliminares de Estudios de Poblaciones de Flora y Fauna: Nuevas Observaciones de Manati Antillano, Trichechus manatus manatus, en la Costa Norte de Honduras.

Poster (PDF 69 MB): Society for Marine Mammalogy, Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals 12-16 December, 2005, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego in San Diego, CA.: The Use of Side Imaging Sonar to Study Manatees in Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, Honduras. Gonzalez-Socoloske, Daniel1*; Bacchus, Marie-Lys C.1; Ford, Robert E.11. Loma Linda University. Dept. of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA *dgonzalez01x@llu.edu

Marie-Lys Bacchus - Biology master's student - also started in March 2005 studying manatee behavior, distribution, migration first in Honduras and has continued her work in Belize until the present (April 2006) and anticipates returning there again later in 2006.

• See an account of her Belize field work in: Home of the Manatee - Vancouver Aquarium AquaNews. Here Marie reports on field research in Belize on manatees under the leadership of Caryn Self-Sullivan (Texas A&M University) and Earthwatch.

Eddie McField - Social Policy doctoral student is interested in sustainable development and "sense of place" among indigenous communities on the North Coast of Honduras. He will likely start field work in August 2006.

Lee FitzHugh Greer - molecular biology and plant/landscape ecology (post-doc student) - hopes to start work on genetic anthropology in September 2006.

• See recent presentation at UNAH - LLU Health Geoinformatics & Environmental GIS/RS Workshop - Tegucigalpa Honduras (September 5-8, 2005) - Powerpoint: Lee FitzHugh Greer - 15 MB

Tom Rossi - Social Policy doctoral student - is also interested in sustainable development--particularly focusing on water resource policy and ecosystem services in Cuero y Salado - see satellite image on the North Coast of Honduras or on the Rio Cangrejal or see LULC Module Virtual Tour No. 2. He will begin field work sometime in the summer of 2006.

Rob Lovich - doctoral student in biology (herpetology and molecular ecology/systematics) along with four other professional herpetologists (Norman Scott, Tony Robinsonm Thomas Akre, and Mason Ryan) have started a very productive assessment of herpetofauna biodiversity on the Pacific coast of Honduras in the protected areas of Cerro Guanacaure/La Botija, and Isla del Tigre--LULC Module--Case No. 2.

 

The Herpetofauna Project is also being carried out with funding and support from the USAID/MIRA Project (Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales). All three areas are critical remnants of neotropical dry tropical forest that are under great stress and pressure from land degradation and ecosystem fragmentation. Read more HERE.

 

Draft Report: Herpetofauna in the Honduran Pacific Dry Forest Region (July 2006)

 

• English version (PDF)
• Spanish version (PDF)

 

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TIMETABLE:

Our first research trip in the field since an earlier reconaisance trip in 2004 occurred between March 12-31, 2005. The goals of these trips were to:

• Test equipment, GPS, telemetry, etc.
• Collect documentary, spatial, statistical, and field observational evidence.
• Better describe the ecological, social, and geographical circumstances within and around the protected areas on the North Coast (from Tela to Trujillo and maybe into the Mosquitia.
• Refine research hypotheses in partnership with the local NGOs as well as university partners (e.g. CURLA, UNAH, etc.).
• Submit more refined research plans and proposals for subsequent direct studies tracking and monitoring the status and distribution of manatees (after a careful evaluation of the logistical issues involved, costs, etc.).
• Start defining the other sustainable development or natural science issues that are related such as poverty issues, livelihoods, land management, ecotourism plans, etc.
• Begin working with our local partners to plan for implementing a more extensive monitoring and assessment system that can improve decision-making, enforcement, protection of biodiversity as well as improving quality of life for the most vulnerable people living in and around protected areas.
• Define what are the key unanswered questions that remains which need focusing on for subsequent field trips.

Subsequent field research trips were carried out from May 22 - June 20, 2005 and focused on more precise field measurements, observations, planning for more direct tracking, monitoring and observation of manatees (and other species or biodiversity issues e.g. marine invertebrates) to answer more precise questions about population size, movements, threats, relationship to other species, etc.

From September 4-9, 2005 we carried out training and teaching in collaboration with the UNAH National Astronomical Observatory (Observatorio Astronomico Centroamericano de Suyapa) and Hospital Escuela (see UNAH - LLU Health Geoinformatics & Environmental GIS/RS Workshop under Project Reports).

From November 20-27, 2005 several students and faculty involved in Honduras presented and attended the SMBC (Society for Mesoamerican Biology and Conservation) at its meetings in La Ceiba Honduras. During the same period Marie-Lys Bacchus continued her field work in Belize on manatee tracking and monitoring begun the previous summer.

In March-April 2006 further manatee studies were continued on the North Coast of Honduras by Daniel gonzalez--see earlier diascussion of the Wildlife Trust, UNAH/Honduras, and LightHawk International aerial survey research.

In March-April 2006 a study by the University of Redlands/Redlands Institute under Serene Ong who is a graduate student in the MS-GIS Program was also launched. The focus of this research will be on water quality and ecosystem services in the five watersheds in the central municipalities (known as MAMUCA--see PDF) that stretch from near La Ceiba to the Rio San Juan on the North Coast in the department (state) of Atlantida. This project will also have participation by: USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras (Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales) and CURLA, the regional campus of UNAH in La Ceiba (Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico) as well as CARE/Honduras and FUCSA (Fundacion Cuero y Salado) an NGO near La Ceiba, Honduras that manages a major protected area for manatee and other wetland species and landscapes (a global RAMSAR site) - see Cuero y Salado -see also satellite image).

From June 5 -19, 2006 the second phase of the Herpetofauna Research Project on the Pacific Coast was carried out--see project page HERE.

And, from July 4 -August 4, 2006 further research on manatees, herpetofauna, water resources and related work were carried out by Robert Ford, Marie-Lys Bachus, Daniel Gonzalez as well as Lisa Hainey, a SURP (Summer Research Program) student from Walla Walla College. Results of that research will appear soon.

November 20-28, 2006 - Planning for development of:

1. An Internet Mapping Service application in support of NRM and Ecotourism activities by various local partners in Honduras (FUPNAPIB - Pico Bonito National Park; FUCSA-Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge; REHDES; CURLA (local branch campus of UNAH; , UNAH's new GIS program in Tegucigalpa; and the USAID-MIRA Project).
   

2. Future expansion of herpetofauna research on the Pacific Coast of Honduras with UNAH and others (see Herp project).

 

SPRING / SUMMER 2007:

• Development of a GOOGLE map interface for the two parks above so people can explore the needs of the region and see what our partners are doing.

• More collaboration and research on the water resources issues/problems (with University of Redlands, USGS, WRI, UNAH, CURLA, etc) =
  
  This will include NEW work being done by Jessica Cadriel (SPH - School of Public Health) who is starting work with WWF and FUCSA/USAID-MIRA studying “sustainable livelihood and health policy” issues among fishing peoples in the area.
  

• Tim Wolff–also from the SPH who is now based at Valle de Angeles in Honduras--will also collaborate on environmental health-related issues on the north coast though he will also do work with ADRA/Honduras and the new GIS/OACS program at UNAH/Tegucigalpa.
  

• The USGS / WRI collaboration will build on recent work entitled: Watershed Analysis for the Mesoamerican Reef. This effort will help build capacity of the new Disaster Mitigation Master’s degree at UNAH-Tegucigalpa – to improve datasets, do more specific planning for disaster issues, carry-out training, etc. This work will also collaborate with the UNAH-CURLA campus in La Ceiba which has a focus on the Atlantic coast watersheds.
  

• In the near future, Tom Rossi will begin work focused on “common-property water resource management” issues in select watersheds in the region, i.e. the Rio Cangrejal and nearby basins--to look at conflict, competing economic and social policy issues, energy-issues, etc.
  

• This summer we will also be cooperating with the University of California Irvine and Duke University who will have professors and students using some of our data for field research on monkeys, DNA-bar coding for biodiversity assessments, and coastal zone policy analysis, wetlands research, etc.
  

• Daniel Gonzalez and Marie-Lys Bacchus are are continuing their Manatee Research in Belize and Honduras. Both are defending their master’s theses this month.They have both done great work!
  
  Daniel will be entering a PhD program at Duke University in biology this summer and will continue building on his efforts in Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and other areas. Daniel recently went to Panama to lead in a workshop training local scientists on how to use the SONAR device he has pioneered for studying manatees in dark/tropical estuarine environments. Daniel is developing a strong reputation as an innovator in the use of this remote sensing tool for biological research.

• Rob Lovich is continuing expansion of herpetofauna research on the Pacific Coast of Honduras with UNAH, Zamorano and others (Herp project). See PDF field report on recent herpetofauna research in the YORO region and other "cloud forest" areas in the Central Highlands.
  
  

March 12 - 25, 2007: Collecting field GPS data with CURLA students for beginning of an Interactive map to support ecoturism planning and marketing, collect geographical and imagery data to support our other SDI work (spatial data infrastructure). See sample DRAFT maps below:

See also this PDFmap (jpg) (png) of Major Terrestrial and Aquatic Nature Trails and Access Roads within Pico Bonito National Park and Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge (DRAFT version - April 2007). In the near future much of this spatial information will be available via an online Interactive Map (in production). MAPA en Español (PDF) (jpg) (png).

 

 

 

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KEY NGO and GOVERNMENT PARTNERS:

Groups with which we have direct working collaborative relations for cooperative research, training, and field application in Honduras include:

• USAID- MIRA Project, Honduras (Manejo Integrado de Recursos Ambientales) - Colonia Florencia Norte, 2da. Av., No. 4038, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, C.A.

• FUCSA (Fundacion Cuero y Salado) - NGO near La Ceiba, Honduras that manages a major protected area for manatee and other wetland species and landscapes (a global RAMSAR site) - see Cuero y Salado -see also satellite image).

• UNAH (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras), Department of Biological Sciences with the GIS/RS program based at the National Astronomical Observatory at the university (UNAH) Observatorio Astronomico Centroamericano de Suyapa - along with

• CURLA, the regional campus of UNAH in La Ceiba (Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico).

• Neurology Training Program, Postgraduate Direction, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Honduras. Contact Dr. Marco Medina: macrotmedina@yahoo.com

• REHDES - Red Ecologista Hondureña para el Desarrollo Sostenible with its links to six NGOs on the North Coast of Honduras - see also Corredor Biológico del Caribe en Honduras - maps

• Fundación Parque Nacional Pico Bonito (FUPNAPIB) - La Ceiba, Honduras.

• Bay Islands University (French Harbour) with links to Paya Bay Resort and surrounding marine and terrestrial reserves such as the Port Royal Wildlife Refuge in eastern Roatan. Includes cooperation with RIMS (Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences) at Anthony's Key Resort and PMAIB (Proyecto de Manejo Ambiental de Islas de la Bahia) in French Harbour as well as with BICA (Bay Islands Conservation Association).

• CCO - Cuerpos de Conservacion de Omoa - Omoa Conservation Corps with UNAH and CURLA (for wetlands management) and Omoa-Barracoa project (PDF) with MBRS - Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Project.

• 

Valle de Angeles, SDA Hospital (their community outreach education center) along with links to La Tigra National Park (AMITIGRA - contact) and their field lodge near San Juancito, Morazan. See also Fundacion San Juancito.

 

See Powerpoint: LLU-SST Mesoamerican Field Studies Center, Current Status and Plans (April 4, 2006).

 

 

• Honduran Tourism Institute (IHT) - This is the official site of the Instituto Hondureño de Turismo, with travel information for the entire country.

• AFE-COHDEFOR - Administration Forestal del Estado Corporation Hondureña de Desarrollo Forestal via the division in charge of wildlife resources and research as well as their GIS/RS Support Unit in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

• SERNA - Secretaria de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente - Mapas en linea (Mapoteca Ambiental de Honduras).

• UCP - Unidad Coordinadora de Proyectos - La Unidad Coordinadora de Proyectos como agente de coordinación de proyectos que fomentan el Desarrollo Sostenible de Honduras bajo el marco de un enfoque territorial integrado.

• Zamorano - Escuela Agricola Panamericana. See also the Zamorano - Cornell - Purdue Partnership.

Other environmental NGOs and partners in Honduras (indirect collaboration) include:

FUCAGUA - another NGO working on environmental issues around Trujillo, Honduras

Central America Ecology and Environment - Garrobo.org

PROLANSATE - NGO working near Tela, Honduras (Fundación para Punta Sal, Lancetilla y Texiguat)

ESCUELA AGROPECUARIA John F. Kennedy - Escuela Nacional Experimental Agropecuaria de la Region Tropical Húmeda (see Article from FAO: Female agricultural extension agents in El Salvador and Honduras: do they have an impact?

Conservation Project Utila Iguana

Fundacion Hondurena para la Investigacion Agricola (FHIA)

Fundacion VIDA - Honduran Foundation on Environment and Development - The Honduran National Environmental Fund

Fundacion San Juancito.

Cayos Cochinos Marine Protected Area - Fundacion Cayos Cochinos (Operation Wallacea)

MOPAWI Mosquitia PAWISA - works to protect the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (see - "A Walkabout"...) - see also Eco-Index - Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve - UNESCO

Other Key Contacts:

Sierra de Agalta - An Eco-Adventure in Honduras (website) - Biodiveristy, Geology, Culture (Peace Corps Volunteers (Voluntarios del Cuerpo de Paz) Clare and Austin Aslan and Krista and Daniel Capps).

Mark Bonta. 2003. Seven Names for the Bellbird: Conservation Geography in Honduras . Texas A & M University Press. (authors website).

(Book website): Birding Honduras: A Checklist and Guide.  2002.  by Mark Bonta

and David L. Anderson. EcoArte, Tegucigalpa, Honduras). To find out more about Birding Honduras, please contact the authors at birds@birdinghonduras.com or visit the book's website)

For further information please contact:

Robert E. Ford, M.P.H., PhD
Professor, International Sustainable Development,
Social Policy/Social Ecology

Doctoral Program in Social Policy & Social Research,
Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, and
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences,
School of Science and Technology,
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Email: rford@llu.edu
Home email:  rford at igc.org
Office Phone: (909) 558-7507
Fax: (909) 558-0450

Stephen G. Dubar, Assistant professor of marine biology

Laboratory of marine invertebrate ecophysiology Intertidal ecophysiology, marine invertebrate physiology, marine invertebrate behavior and ecology

Department of Earth and Biological Sciences
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350
Phone: (909) 558-1000, extension 48903
Fax: (909) 558-0259
Email: sdunbar@llu.edu

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Key Central America / Caribbean Web Resources:

• Belize - country resources

• Caribbean - Marine and Coastal Science

• Caribbean - Environment - Geosciences

• Caribbean - Cultural/Geographical

• Central America - Cultural

• Central America - Environment/Geosciences

• General resources

• Honduras - country resources

• Hurricane Mitch - Honduras disaster links

• Mexico - country resources

• Nicaragua - country resources

• South America - general resources

• TATU (Hurricane Mitch)

• USGS - Hurricane Mitch Programme

TRAVEL INFORMATION:

Passports/Critical Documents: Each person needs to have a valid passport.  If you don't have one you can order a passport online but give yourself at least six weeks time .  Or check the yellow pages (under Federal Gov't) or call the County Recorder's office.  It is also adviseable to have a copy of your birth certificate in case you lose the passport or need another ID.  Also bring drivers license, but leave at home most credit cards except one or two back-up ones.  Keep all these documents and money/travelers checks and airplane tickets in a small body-hugging container or purse around your neck, under your clothes, i.e. in a hidden belt pouch.

General Health Precautions and Travel Warnings:  You are encouraged to study the US State Department Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings online (see the Public Announcement on Honduras).  Also contact the local County Health Department and ask for the Travel Medicine and Immunizations office.  They can help you get up-to-date info on required and recommended shots, water purification techniques, hygiene, etc. You may want to read the article: Jungle Camping: Some Tips For Increased Comfort.  Though we won't be camping/tenting outdoors "in the back country"--we will be staying most often in schools, rustic country dorms/inns, modest-priced hotels with multiple people to a room. Nevertheless, some of the issues raised about dealing with heat, bugs, sunburn, traveling light and other issues apply.  In the Bay Islands of Honduras you will be bitten by sandflies. The best way to prevent bites is using SKIN-SO-SOFT by Avon. Sunburn is a real problem - bring a good hat and a strong sunblock.  REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) can help you get travel information, hygiene products and other useful material including some emergency snacks/travel food. 

Special Health Needs: If you have special health needs or problems, e.g. allergies, please advise the trip organizers in advance and bring along proper prescriptions and medicine.  The university may also require your doctor's signed clearance for travel.  If you are allergic to bee stings, mosquitoes, sandflies please bring an allergic reaction kit and carry it with you! Also bring basic First Aid supplies such as bandaids, disinfectant, aspirin, cold medicine, Pepto-bismol, Imodium-B, etc.  There will be a group first aid kit but it is to be kept for emergencies and is not meant to service general needs.

Travel Book/Information: A good travel guidebook that will provide lot's of this information is: Honduras: Adventures in Nature, by Jim Gollin and Ron Mader (you can order online from link above via Amazon.com).  See also Honduras Vacation Guide - Travel Honduras - also check out the Central America Travel Guide (Lonely Planet) as well as: Walkabout Travel Gear (tm). You can also find online information from: Honduras Tips: the official travel magazine.  A lot more information can be found HERE! See also Honduras: A Country Study from the Library of Congress or Travel resources from LANIC University of Texas.

Luggage/Packing: You will need to travel light!!  Pack your backup goods in a good strong, flexible bag or backpack--something you can either sling over your shoulder or carry on your back--no hardback suitcases .  In addition, you should have a small shoulder bag or daypack for water bottle, notebook, personal items, sunblock, camera, etc.  Again, bring something strong and flexible that you don't mind getting dirty and that will handle abuse, wear and weather.  The basic rule is - can you carry ALL your luggage yourself at least a mile in the sun !

Clothing/Shoes/Misc:  Review again some of the suggestions under:  Jungle Camping: Some Tips For Increased Comfort.  Most of the time it will be very HOT (when we are in the lowlands and islands).  Even during the dry season rain is likely in the mountains. And, at night on boats it can get cool, so a good rainshedding windbreaker might be needed.  And have at least another layer for warmth, e.g. flannel shirt or light sweater, etc.  Otherwise clothes for HOT weather is appropriate.  Have at least one change of clothes that is more formal (slacks and better shirt, dress/blouse.)  Shoes should be comfortable for walking/hiking in backcountry; an extra pair of sandals or gym shoes (for a change) might be good. Some places we stay in might not have towels--so bring a small one along.  A useful site to checkout regarding travel gear is: Walkabout Travel Gear (tm).

Camera Equipment: If you bring a camera it is best to bring your own film (in a water-proof/lead-lined bag). Film is expensive in Honduras and not always available (particularly slide film) except in large cities.  You may want to bring one or two disposable, underwater cameras (from Kodak) for taking pictures while snorkeling or in the rainforest and swamps where you don't want to risk a good camera. If you bring a digital camera plan on bringing sufficient micro-disks (or a portable "drive" for storing digital files) - unless someone has a computer along for offloading files.

Diving/Snorkeling: Snorkeling and diving equipment will be available for rent.  Do not bring fins except possibly light aqua socks you can walk on the reef with.  Some may want to bring their own face masks (particularly if you need prescription-type goggles/masks).  If there are prospective SCUBA divers in the group please advise in advance and bring a signed liability disclaimer with you.  Renting scuba equipment up to international standards is quite easy.

Binoculars/Birding: If four to five people can bring binoculars that can be shared that would be nice.  If there are certain specialized field equipment that you need (that is not too heavy or cumbersome) please discuss in advance.  Other lab/study materials requirements will be discussed later under academics, e.g. GPS equipment, field mapping tools, etc.

Sierra de Agalta - An Eco-Adventure in Honduras (website) - Biodiveristy, Geology, Culture (Peace Corps Volunteers (Voluntarios del Cuerpo de Paz) Clare and Austin Aslan and Krista and Daniel Capps).

Mark Bonta. 2003. Seven Names for the Bellbird: Conservation Geography in Honduras . Texas A & M University Press. (authors website).

Birding Honduras: A Checklist and Guide.  2002.  by Mark Bonta

and David L. Anderson. EcoArte, Tegucigalpa, Honduras)

Order books: To find out more about Birding Honduras, please contact the authors at birds@birdinghonduras.com or visit the book's website.

 

Cross-Cultural / Behavior Issues:  Remember that you are a visitor in a foreign country and that you not only represent America but Loma Linda University.  All applicable rules of conduct that apply on-campus will apply off-campus regards such issues as: sexual behavior, drugs and alcohol, entertainement, etc.  Also, remember that you are living in a group and are expected to show tolerance, sensitivity and understanding to both your group colleagues and especially toward the people of Honduras we interact with.  Everyone is expected to participate in group activities unless excused for valid reasons. No running-off to do things on your own unless under supervision and with permission of the leader.  There will be times given for individual activities whether it be to go to restaurants, shopping, but with permission.

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ACADEMIC ISSUES

Credit and Prerequisites:  If you participate in the full program (including the prerequisite courses prior to leaving) you will get four credit hours (ESSC 575). Make sure you study carefully the course OVERVIEW, OBJECTIVES and DESCRIPTION and related information, e.g. PREREQUISITES.   Please check with your academic adviser to be sure you will be allowed to include the credits in your own graduate program.

Lab/Class Themes:  As noted earlier, the course will focus on studying environmental, natural science, geoscience and related sustainable development issues in the coastal/insular region of Honduras (see Honduras: A Country Study).  Those who want to emphasize cultural/anthropological issues and/or language, folklore, art, photography, business, journalism, nursing may do so with prior clearance from your adviser. 

ESSC 575 is the CAPSTONE COURSE in a sequence of active learning interdisciplinary senior/graduate-level courses carried out by the LLU-ESSE21 Project: ESSC 401-402, SPOL 665, SPOL 524, BIOL 549, SPOL 624, and ESSC 541-542) that provide the opportunity for students to experience how earth system science is done by active participation in analysis of real-world global change, sustainability science, and social policy problems inherent in real places, ecosystems, regions, sociocultural or public policy institutional/community settings (urban or rural). The course expands experiences first encountered in foundation courses which are all part of the LLU ESSE21 Project (Earth Systems Science Education for the 21st Century).

A key goal is to promote team-research skills by providing a mechanism for linking students and faculty with local experts and the community at large in policy analysis and implementation, i.e. these will be "real" problems not just "make-do" classroom exercises and experiences. So, you will be working with faculty and local experts as full research partners in the program.

Academic resources for the courses bring to bear expertise, networks, software/hardware, datasets, and field research linkages within the Loma Linda University (LLU) , School of Science and Technology and other partners (e.g. School of Public Health, Geoinformatics Unit) and well as with outside partners in the Inland Empire and globally including:

• CEEMaST, Center for Education and Equity in Mathematics, Science, and Technology, California State University, Pomona. Contact: Dr. Jodye I. Selco Email: jiselco@csupomona.edu
• CGISR, Center for Geographic Information Science Research: Contact : Miriam Cope, Director
  Email: macope@csupomona.edu
• Redlands Institute: CES / MS_GIS in cooperation with ESRI's - Sustainable Development solutions group.
• Leica/Geo - ERDAS Imagine
• Clark Labs - IDRISI Kilimanjaro
• Isee, Inc.(STELLA)
• ICRSE - International Center for Remote Sensing Education
• CGIAR-Consortium for Spatial Information

Writing Activity: All students are required to keep a journal--more will be explained later.  Everyone will define a specific field project beyond the journal that will include a field collection, portofolio, analysis and write-up/presentation phase.  The project will be defined before the course and during periodic meetings to be announced and approved by your academic adviser/program chair as well as the trip leader.

Graduate students are also using the course to launch master's and doctoral-level theses and dissertations in either the Social Policy and Social Research (SPOL) program within the department of Social Work and Social Ecology or the department of Earth and Biological Sciences. A final oral, written and visual (Powerpoint) presentation of results is expected upon return to the US and in most cases will also include presentations with the faculty at approrpiate professional meetings. Ultimate publication in a peer-reviewed journal is strongly encouraged.

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