Illegal Deforestation, Fish Poisoning, and Complex Land Politics: Impacts to Nicaraguan Rain Forest Streams

*NOTE- this seminar will be held on Thursday, 5/9/19, due to the "Friday class schedule" shift. Guest Speaker: Joel Betts- Michigan State University

This talk will discuss the complex political, cultural, and ecological context of conservation in the rainforest reserves of Southeast Nicaragua, and the results of Joel’s thesis research on the impacts of illegal deforestation and chemical fishing on stream ecosystems in the Rama-Kriol indigenous territory. Using fish, stream insect, and hydrology data and interviews from the field, in addition to satellite image analyses, Joel’s research documents the detrimental illegal activity in this globally important and diversity-rich forest, for use by local government and non-profits in management and advocacy efforts.

Join the BIO295 seminar for its final session of the Spring 2019 semester today. Contact Erika Purcell-Williams (eap2@calvin.edu) with any further questions.