Understanding how scarlet macaws (Ara macao) nest and documenting the biodiversity of pine forests are two scientific challenges that now have new information thanks to research conducted by students from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Honduras.
In one of the most biodiverse regions of Mesoamerica, where forests face growing pressures from land-use change, wildfires, and other environmental threats, generating scientific evidence is essential to better understand how ecosystems function and to guide conservation actions.
As part of this collaboration, five Biology students spent four weeks conducting research in La Moskitia. Unlike a traditional internship program, the students led every stage of the scientific process: they developed the research questions, designed the methodologies, carried out the fieldwork, analyzed the data, and presented their findings to both the WCS technical team and the community of Mavita.
Understanding where scarlet macaws choose to nest
One of the projects focused on the breeding ecology of the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), one of Honduras’s most iconic species. The objective was to better understand the characteristics of trees and cavities that may influence the selection of nesting sites during the breeding season.
To do so, the students adapted nest-monitoring methodologies, developed a system to measure cavities through image analysis, and assessed different variables associated with the trees used by the species.
Given the number of available records, the analysis incorporated machine-learning tools using an exploratory and predictive approach to identify which characteristics could potentially be associated with nest-site selection.
The results provide information that can help guide future research and strengthen scarlet macaw monitoring and conservation efforts in La Moskitia.
Building a baseline for La Moskitia’s pine forests
The second project focused on the pine forests of La Moskitia, an ecosystem that, despite its ecological importance, remains relatively understudied.
The research helped establish a baseline of the biodiversity recorded in this type of forest, generating information that can serve as a reference for future monitoring programs and help assess changes in these ecosystems over time.
Establishing this type of baseline is particularly important in a region where forests face pressures associated with land-use change, wildfires, and other environmental threats.
The research through the students’ eyes
Ana Machado Reis
“WCS gave me the opportunity to experience firsthand what fieldwork really means. Beyond the research on scarlet macaws, we learned about teamwork, resilience, and the value of living alongside the Mavita community. It is an experience that will shape my training as a biologist.”
Caitlin Jenner
“Being able to carry out a research project from the planning stage through to the analysis of results was a unique experience. I am grateful for the mentorship of Marcos Castillo and the WCS team, as well as for the opportunity to learn alongside the Miskito community of Mavita while contributing to the generation of new information about scarlet macaws.”
Rachel Hattan
“Planning, carrying out, and analyzing our own scientific research with the support of WCS was an extraordinary opportunity. Working in a relatively understudied ecosystem and living alongside an Indigenous Miskito community was a privilege I will always remember.”
Lara Piffareti
“This experience marked a turning point in my path as a conservation biologist. Being able to conduct research in La Moskitia and apply the knowledge I gained at university helped me understand the realities of fieldwork and the importance of conservation.”
Lily Milligan
“These four weeks contributed enormously to my scientific and personal development. The combination of ecological research, fieldwork, and community life made this a deeply enriching experience, for which I am extremely grateful.”