Barro Colorado Island, located in the Gatún Lake, is a paradise far away from civilisation. The members of the expedition studied the ecosystem of the rainforest and learned about the Wounaan Indians’ way of life.
The rainforest habitat: Janine and Jason discover a rare beetle (l). On their journey through Panama, the Project Earth participants did not only examine the effects of climate change on the rainforest (top), but also the social consequences of the overexploitation of nature.
Günther: While hiking through the rain forest in Panama I was simply overwhelmed by the beauty of nature. Afterwards we listened to a presentation by Dr Tony Coates. I would willingly go back to university if I had teachers as inspiring and motivating as him. Now we are on our way to another part of Panama’s great rainforest in order to work with the Rainforest Foundation. We will spend the next two days with the indigenous tribe of the Wounaan.
Jason: The reservation was set up after the Panama Canal had been built – the place proved to be ideal because the canal forms a natural border separating the island from the main land. As a biologist I really wanted to come here as this is an absolute hotspot of biodiversity.
Dr. Tony Coates, The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: Barro Colorado is the Smithsonian Institute’s first and oldest research centre in Panama. There are more species of birds in this small country than in the whole of North America. When our scientists first explored this area, they immediately suggested staying here and continuing the research. Today this is the most studied area of tropical rainforest in the world.
Janine: On Barro Colorado Island, climate change can be retraced very clearly. One research project measures the development in a small area and the scientists have detected some dramatic changes. We have to do something about this!
