This quarter, FCAT saw our work recognized in a major scientific publication, advanced a growing biological corridor in the Chocó, and continued our restoration and monitoring efforts on the ground. Here are a few highlights from this season:
- A new BioScience paper co-authored by FCAT founder Jordan Karubian, featuring our work on tropical field stations
- Progress on the Bilsa–FCAT–Cube Lagoon biological corridor, reaching 100% of this quarter’s planting goals
- Continued restoration of threatened timber species and expansion of our biodiversity monitoring network
- A visit from FCAT allies and another season with the TIERA program
Featured: Field Stations as Engines of Tropical Conservation
A new paper published in BioScience, by Jordan Karubian (FCAT’s founder), alongside researchers from 13 other institutions, puts into words something we see every day at the reserve: tropical field stations are essential, yet still underused, for turning global biodiversity and climate goals into action before 2030.
The paper looks at field stations as much more than places where research happens. They are spaces where local communities, scientists, and policymakers come together, where long-term data is collected, the next generation of local conservationists is trained, and approaches like restoration and agroforestry can be tested on the ground before being scaled up.
FCAT is highlighted as one example in practice, with our work on connectivity and agroforestry featured alongside Cameroon’s Ebony Project, highlighting growing collaboration between field stations across the Global South.
The paper also points to a challenge we know well: many tropical field stations operate with unpredictable funding, making it difficult to sustain the long-term work they are uniquely positioned to do. More stable investment in these places means strengthening the connection between global climate and biodiversity commitments and action on the ground.
Bilsa- FCAT- Cube Lagoon Corridor
Together with GIZ, Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment (REMACH), and local communities, we continue building a biological corridor connecting the forests of Bilsa, FCAT, and Cube Lagoon.
80 families are working together to manage 200+ hectares of ecological connectivity.
This quarter, we completed the land-use design for all 80 participating farms, with each family committing at least 15% of their land to conservation. We also delivered 20,000 cacao seedlings, reaching 100% of our planting goal, and planted 10,000+ native and fruit tree seedlings.
We also wrapped up 4 community workshops and advanced the update of REMACH’s management plan.
Threatened Timber Species to Connect the Chocó
With The Houser Foundation, we’re restoring the Ecuadorian Chocó using native, rare, and threatened timber species that are rarely included in restoration programs because their seeds are hard to find and germinate. We’ve already produced and planted 1,200 seedlings of six species, covering about 120 hectares across the Reserve and private farms, mainly integrated into shade-grown cacao systems.
The current challenge: species whose seeds face heavy insect damage, or that we haven’t yet been able to source or produce in the Reserve.
First image: seedling production in an FCAT greenhouse. Following images: larval damage to a Cedro seed pod, Guayacán seeds damaged by larvae, and Cruzcaspi pods showing healthy vs. empty pods from weevil predation.
Biodiversity Monitoring
The Chocó has lost over 95% of its original forest cover. To understand how land-use change affects biodiversity, we’ve been installing 105 monitoring stations since January, using audio recorders, camera traps, and temperature sensors across 7 land-use types.
The first phase focuses on birds and mammals, with amphibians and insects to follow. All of this feeds into the FCAT Portal, our AI-powered platform for identifying species from camera trap images and audio recordings.
TIERA Program 2026
This summer, TIERA (Tulane Interdisciplinary Environmental Research & Action Program) returned to the FCAT station.
6 professors + 18 students joined the May field course, working across ethnobotany, archaeology, bird ecology, water quality, and cacao microbiology. The program also provided scholarships for 2 Ecuadorian students, Domenica Luna (UDLA) and Ariel Lemos (Yachay Tech).
In June, 6 scholars returned to pursue their own projects on bats, toucans, agroforestry, water quality, and phenology.
FCAT Allies Visit
In April we welcomed 27 allies for a four-day stay at the station, including tours of our restoration, permaculture, and monitoring projects, a chocolate-making experience, and cultural exchange with the women’s art collective and youth club. We also welcomed Ellen Beck as a new member of our community.
