Preserving botanical knowledge for the future
We are delighted to share that we have recently donated 105 duplicate botanical specimens collected as part of the IEK-CHANGES project to the Herbarium of the Institut Botànic de Barcelona. These specimens complement a corresponding set of duplicates housed at the Bolivian National Herbarium, ensuring that this valuable botanical heritage remains accessible both in Bolivia […]
Welcome back, Júlia!
After several months in the Bolivian Amazon, we are delighted to welcome Júlia Orrit back to Barcelona following the second phase of her fieldwork with the Tsimane’ people. During her time in Bolivia, Júlia collected important data on Cultural Keystone Species and advanced research on changes in the plants used by Tsimane’ women to make […]
A walk in the forest
Written by Alexandra Florence Gilbert We started off as three. Three became seven, then five more joined, and soon we were a long snake of women weaving our way through the forest. We were on the lookout for plants collected and used by local Tsimane’ women to create beautiful seed necklaces and woven saraij bags. As […]
Welcoming two new MSc students to the team
We are truly delighted to welcome two new MSc students, Alexandra Florence Gilbert and Nathaniel Rugh, to the IEK-CHANGES project. Alex and Nate join us at a particularly meaningful moment in our journey, as our work continues to grow alongside the Tsimane’ people and their deeply rooted, precious knowledge systems. Over the coming months, they […]
Starting a new field campaign!
Our team has officially begun a new field campaign in the Bolivian Amazon. After a couple of intense days in San Borja gathering supplies and preparing equipment, the team is now heading upriver and into the forest to begin the next phase of fieldwork. Over the coming weeks, the team will work hand in hand […]
Behind the scenes: coordinating fieldwork across continents
While much of our work unfolds in forests and communities in the Bolivian Amazon, a great deal of preparation happens behind the scenes. Over the past months, our team has been meeting regularly online to carefully fine-tune research instruments, review protocols, and coordinate the many logistical details that make fieldwork possible. These conversations (often bridging […]
Joining forces to explore the deep history of the Bolivian Amazon
We are very happy to begin a new collaboration with our wonderful colleagues Umberto Lombardo and Kate Dudgeon, from the DEMODRIVERS project, based like us at ICTA-UAB. Over the years, many conversations about our shared fascination and deep affection for Bolivia have gradually grown into a meaningful scientific collaboration. While the DEMODRIVERS team works in […]
Our research with the Tsimane’ featured in El País
Our research with the Tsimane’ people of the Bolivian Amazon has recently been featured in the Spanish newspaper El País in a beautiful article written by the journalist Noor Mahtani. The piece highlights and discusses the findings of one of our recent scientific studies, which reveals a striking ecological pattern: across many regions of the […]
Júlia Orrit has successfully defended her MSc thesis!
We are delighted to share that our dear Júlia Orrit successfully defended her MSc thesis “Biocultural vulnerability of Cultural Keystone Species: implications for biodiversity conservation” at the University of Barcelona. This is a wonderful milestone and a well-deserved achievement that reflects Júlia’s dedication, and hard work throughout the project. We are deeply grateful for all […]
From a river conversation to a Nature Ecology & Evolution perspective
Sometimes ideas for scientific papers begin in the most unexpected places. While navigating the waters of the Beni River in the Bolivian Amazon, our team members Mónica Moraes and Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares found themselves immersed in a long and thoughtful conversation about the profound conservation challenges that Bolivia is currently facing. Surrounded by the forests and […]
