Hello Everyone: I am working to establish a biological station, La MICA, in a national park in central Panama . The project will facilitate students and researchers from around the world while providing much needed conservation-oriented work for the impoverished local people. I have begun to think about equipment that we could have on-hand for visitors to use. I would like to ask the assistance of Ecolog-L readers to gather information on the best equipment to acquire for work in the tropical cloud forest. Below I have broken down different areas of study and list some general equipment I would like to have at the station. I would greatly appreciate if readers could take a look at the list and fill in ideas for brands, websites for the product (if known), and notes why you like this equipment. Please feel free to add other equipment that you would utilize at a field site. On the top of the list I have included the general characteristics of the site as some of these factors may impact the brand or type of equipment that would work best at this extreme site. Please return the list to me at [email protected]. I would be happy to post the final list for other Ecolog-L readers. Questions or other suggestions also can be sent to me at this email. To learn more about La MICA Biological Station or make a tax-deductible donation to help this important project, please visit our website (www.lamica.org). I appreciate all of the support and ideas Ecolog-L readers have provided so far! Thanks!!! Julie ___________ EQUIPMENT LIST General characteristics of the site: Near El Copé, Coclé Province , Republic of Panama . Primarily mid-elevation (700-900 m) cloud forest and some lowland (200 m) to upland (1400 m) sites in Atlantic and Pacific habitats. Average temperatures: 19-30°C. Annual rainfall: 3500 mm (138 inches). Site has species of insects, birds & mammals that may chew on or dismantle some equipment. The station will be run off from solar and wind power. Please provide brand, website (if known), and notes why you like this product. GENERAL Weather station GPS units Digital camera Temperature loggers Digital voice recorders PIT Tag readers Electronic balances Spring scales Flagging BOTANY Plant presses Tree tags General measurement tools ENTOMOLOGY Insect collection boxes Insect pins HERPETOLOGY Snake tubes Cloacal thermometer Frog call recorders MAMMALOGY Live traps Digital motion-sensitive cameras Mist nets (bats) Bat recorders ORNITHOLOGY Mist nets Binoculars STREAM ECOLOGY/ICHTHYOLOGY Dip nets Seines Water testing kits
Julie M. Ray, MS, PhD Candidate La MICA La Montaña para Investigación y Conservación Ambiental Biological Station Parque Nacional G.D. Omar Torrijos Herrera; El Cope-La Pintada. Provincia de Cocle. Republica de Panama Amigos Support La MICA. c/o Brett McMillan. McDaniel College. 2 College Hill. Westminster, MD 21157 Fundación Centro de Investigación Biológica El Copé, S.A. (Panama) www.lamica.org [email protected] Amigos Support La MICA is a project of International Humanities Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
