Mexico

MC101 Mayan Forest Biodiversity Surveys (Expedition 1)

This 4-week expedition involves 3 weeks in the Mayan forests working on the biodiversity monitoring programme.  The first week will be at the main base camp of Calakmul and, alongside the main survey work, there is an introductory course on Central American wildlife ecology consisting of a series of lectures and practicals with the various academics. After completing this week, the group will move for between the more remote field camps.  The surveys will involve collecting data for estimation of carbon standing stock, diurnal scan search sampling and spotlight night surveys for herpetofauna from forest transects, point counts and mist netting for birds, transects for counts of large mammals and mist netting for bats.  Whilst at the terrestrial site you will also have an introduction to Mayan culture and visit the ruins of Calakmul.

For the last week, the group will move to the Akumal marine research centre either learning to dive to PADI Open Water level or, if already a qualified diver or only wishing to snorkel, completing a Caribbean reef ecology course. Whilst at the marine site there will also be opportunities to help with water quality work on the nearby lagoon and take part in turtle work around your dive schedule.