#ecominga

Just some of the new species of Teagueia orchids discovered by Lou Jost and his team in central-eastern Ecuador. . The evolutionary radiation of these orchids is extraordinary, containing double the number of species of the famous Galapagos radiations, even though the Galápagos Islands are much bigger than the four mountains these orchids were found on, and far more isolated. . What’s perplexing is that orchid dispersal is ridiculous; they have the smallest seed of any flowering plant, which can disperse more than 800km. . That’s why even in the Galapagos, there are almost no endemic orchids... the vast majority have arrived from mainland Ecuador. . Therefore, the notion that this number and variety of orchid species evolved in such close proximity—on adjacent mountaintops— is mysterious. . With the discovery of this evolutionary radiation, how many more species of orchids might be hidden on mountaintops, in plain sight? . One single mountain in Ecuador had 16 new species of orchids, which are currently the subject of several ecological and evolutionary studies, as this is an unprecedented local speciation event. . Thanks to EcoMinga, and support from the World Land Trust, they’ve been able to preserve these unique, orchid-filled mountain peaks for posterity. . @worldlandtrust #ecominga . #evolution #adaptiveradiation #ecology #botany #orchids #worldlandtrust #mysterious #teagueia #loujost #paradise #ecuador #tropics #tesoros #darwin #galapagos #conservation #worldlandtrust https://www.instagram.com/p/CAdLAAohGvQ/?igshid=1frn17t0vvt0c

“I'd like to introduce you to the hidden world of micro-orchids” he said. . Traveling up the slope of the Tungurahua volcano, I arrived at Lou Jost’s home, which felt more like a research laboratory tucked into the shire. . More than 8,000 orchid-filled vials covered the shelves and part of the floor in his home— specimens used to describe the 65+ new species of orchids to science in the past 15 years. . By accident, Jost discovered the smallest orchid on the planet (2.1 mm wide). The flowers of this orchid are so tiny that its petals are just one cell thick and transparent. . #ecominga #microorchids #orchids #biodiversity #scoutsixty https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaq5_thcp5/?igshid=mx2kq1tetuar

This photo represents an abundance of gratitude for me. . I’m grateful that a serendipitous moment led me to learning about Lou Jost’s work, that I got to trek into one of the reserves he, and the team at EcoMinga, created, and that I got to attend his class on the Mathematics of Biodiversity in Quito, before the pandemic swept its way across the globe. . With a background in physics and mathematics, Jost is not a typical biologist. Seeing the cloud forests of Ecuador and their unparalleled species richness, Jost realized that the conventional way of measuring diversity and comparing it between different sites was doing a major disservice to the true complexity of the many species which live in the tropical Andes. . What is needed is a shift in the way ecological sciences are quantified, to break free of this needless cycle, as it does not substitute for real measures of effect size and is rarely the appropriate model for valid research. We should move to methods where questions are designed in terms of estimating meaningful parameters and statically uncertainties are expressed in confidence intervals, rather than testing an always-false null hypothesis and determining an arbitrary p-value. . Cheers to moving away from inefficient and even harmful practices, simply because they are what we’ve always done in the past. . #ecominga #loujost #mathematics of #biodiversity #ecology #biology #diversity #serendipity #stem #gratitude https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQSnEjhVUg/?igshid=16jj43ctbzt35

On the road to Lou Jost’s orchid research shire habitat and the currently sleeping Tungurahua volcano. . Ecuador is home to more than 4000 unique plant species found nowhere else in the world; many of these are threatened by the rapid deforestation taking place. . The habitat degradation that follows deforestation threatens not only the plants and wildlife but the well-being of the human population, causing an exodus to urban areas and an accompanying loss of dignity. . Lou Jost and a group of concerned scientists and conservationists started a foundation to do something to save the threatened organisms of Ecuador's forests, and at the same time ensure that the local people find a dignified and sustainable livelihood. . If you’re traveling to Baños, Ecuador, consider staying with a host family in the nearby village of El Placer. Not only will you have an authentic experience with some truly wonderful people, but you will be furthering conservation efforts by bringing income to a community who is committed to protecting the marvelous nature around them. . Contact EcoMinga for more information or just show up in the village. They rotate turns for homestay throughout the community so that they all have an opportunity to host. . 📸 by @sugarkneesandy . @indianmotorcycle @rolandsandsdesign . #ecominga #conservation #ecuador #bañosecuador #scoutsixty #indianmotorcycle #womenwhoride #rolandsandsdesign #miajacket https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ZJxKCBKRr/?igshid=n4buzbam47qq

EcoMinga’s camera trap footage from their Dracula Reserve in NW Ecuador. • *I put these videos out of order so that you might guess what this healthy female puma (Felis concolor) is so interested in. • The following clip shows a well-fed male making a scent mark right in front of the camera. This is the same male that the EcoMinga Foundation had filmed in their earlier operation, confirming the need for an ecological corridor between existing reserves. • I love seeing this distant communication, of interpreting scent chemicals, and the face the female makes while she (perhaps) analyzes what it is this particular fragrance is telling her. • EcoMinga is doing amazing things in Ecuador and has a captivating blog to tell the story. They are currently too cool for Instagram so you’ll have to find them elsewhere. • #draculaorchids #ecominga #puma #felisconcolor #longdistancerelationship #ecuador #wildlifeconservation #cameratraps #bushnell (at Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7l_09tBKit/?igshid=103bkzo4nfku8

I guess this is my birthday suit! . If there’s anything I’ve learned in this most recent revolution around the sun, its that being alive is a privilege. For many years, I believed quite the opposite, and the weight of collective suffering around the world - especially of those without a voice - crushed me. . My path became very clear at that point — one of action. . From then on, I’ve been creating education curriculum for children to help the plight of our planet’s flora and fauna, I’ve been sharing the stories of those on the frontlines of conservation, providing technical support to wildlife protection organizations, raising awareness through my writing, and doing all of it while living on a motorcycle. . This year has been incredibly different, as I’m riding the most amazing machine I’ve ever been on, my gear has significantly improved (hello @SENA bluetooth helmet camera and RSD waterproof boots!), and I’m even getting paid for my writing (I’ve been doing this all for free for many years). . Even though I’m solo on this journey, I feel incredibly supported by those who believe in me and for this I’m immensely grateful. . To have all of these cells working together, these molecules arranged just so, these atoms working in ways which are still mysterious to us - all making up this living vessel my soul moves around the earth on is truly wild. This existence is highly improbable and therefore being alive is a tremendous privilege. . Photo taken in EcoMinga’s Rio Zuñac reserve by Tito, a “Keeper of the Wild.” . Thanks to: @rolandsandsdesign @rolandsands @indianmotorcycle @indianmotorcyclechile @senabluetooth @giantloopmoto @memphisshades . @worldlandtrust #ecominga #orchidconservationalliance . And everyone who’s been rooting for me along the way. . Cheers to hurling through space on this beautiful planet we call home. 🥂🌿🌙🐅 https://www.instagram.com/p/B7dvCMfhXw9/?igshid=10aobhtb76tm0

Heading to a biological research station deep within a reserve where there are rare orchids, incredible birds, and where the scientists and the “Keepers of the Wild” found at least one spectacled bear sleeping in their beds. . I’ll be out of reach for a few days. . #EcoMinga #ecuador @wwfecuador @rainforesttrust #rainforest #conservation #wild https://www.instagram.com/p/B7QpruWBeaa/?igshid=1p40biz6li4kp