A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Konashen Community Owned Conservation Area, Southern Guyana

by Alonso, Leeanne E.

• ISBN13: 9781934151242
• ISBN10: 1934151246
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-11-01
• Publisher: Conservation Intl

Summary

The Konashen Community Owned Conservation Area (COCA) is comprised of 625,000 hectares of undisturbed forest located in a tropical wilderness area in the "deep" southern region of Guyana. The site is relatively unexplored and considered to be one of the last large and intact pristine areas of forest remaining in Guyana. Within the Konashen COCA there is one community made up mainly of members of the Wai Wai indigenous group who are responsible for the area's management. The data collected during the RAP survey indicate that the forests of the Konashen COCA are in very good condition and support rich biodiversity. The team recorded 12 species that are likely new to science and over 60 species were recorded for the first time in Guyana. Additionally, a number of threatened and endemic species were also recorded.

Author Biography

Leeanne E. Alonso is vice president of Conservation International and directs the Rapid Assessment Program in the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science. Jennifer McCullough is the Publications Manager for the Rapid Assessment Program of the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International. Piotr Naskrecki is Director of the Invertebrate Diversity Initiative of the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International. Heather Wright works within the environment program of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Eustace Alexander is Manager of Protected Areas Planning for Conservation International - Guyana.