Major
Environmental Science
Anticipated Graduation Year
2026
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
The Peruvian rainforest houses many reptile species with diverse habitat preferences, complicating our understanding of their diversity and abundance. Healthy reptile populations are essential for the rainforest ecosystem's health. Thus, it's crucial for scientists to accurately assess reptile distribution and abundance in tropical forests and their ecological roles. This study uses visual encounter surveys to document reptile biodiversity and locations along Peru’s Madre de Dios River and Lake Sandoval. Focusing on the microhabitats during a seven-day observational period, we aim to highlight the need to preserve the natural environments where reptiles thrive and compare these areas to tourism rates.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Stephen Mitten; Joseph Milanovich
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Tourism Effects on Reptile Biodiversity and Abundances in the Peruvian Amazon
The Peruvian rainforest houses many reptile species with diverse habitat preferences, complicating our understanding of their diversity and abundance. Healthy reptile populations are essential for the rainforest ecosystem's health. Thus, it's crucial for scientists to accurately assess reptile distribution and abundance in tropical forests and their ecological roles. This study uses visual encounter surveys to document reptile biodiversity and locations along Peru’s Madre de Dios River and Lake Sandoval. Focusing on the microhabitats during a seven-day observational period, we aim to highlight the need to preserve the natural environments where reptiles thrive and compare these areas to tourism rates.
