Chicago City Wire

A team of scientists has concluded a month-long survey in the northern Amazon, marking the most extensive study of Guyana's rainforest to date. This region contains some of the world's largest undisturbed forests, making the findings crucial for understanding current forest ecosystems.

The expedition was organized by a partnership including the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the Field Museum of Natural History, and local Guyanese institutions. It involved 55 experts from various scientific fields such as geology, plants, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, soils, and local ecology.

This effort is part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. "Guyana is a global hotspot for biodiversity," said Dr. Lesley de Souza from the Field Museum of Natural History. She emphasized integrating local Amerindian knowledge with scientific research.

This was the first exploration in nearly 90 years of the New River area, which remains largely unexplored due to protections against logging and mining. The data collected will aid government decisions on future conservation efforts.

Robert Persaud, Chairman of PAC Board and Foreign Secretary, stated that this model combines advanced research with local knowledge to yield unique insights. The rapid inventory is vital for expanding protected areas under LCDS 2030 goals.

Following their fieldwork, scientists will spend a week compiling their findings into a report to inform conservation planning and resource management decisions.