The French Guiana Amazonian Park joins the STOC-EPS survey

Since the end of 2012, the STOC-EPS Guyane network has steadily built up. As far as manpower is concerned, volunteers from GEPOG make up the majority of those taking part along the coastal strip where most of the population and the roads are to be found.

Covered in primary forest, largely uninhabited and lacking any means of access apart from the rivers, the interior of French Guiana is more difficult to survey. However, thanks to the involvement of the managers of protected areas, STOC-EPS point counts are in fact a possibility. The nature reserves of Nouragues and La Trinité, managed by the ONF, were the first to become part of the STOC-EPS network of sites.

Since the beginning of the year, the French Guiana Amazonian Park has also become involved, with some of its staff undertaking training. With Maripasoula, Saül, Camopi, the three main entry points to the national park involved, the network of STOC sites is now in the heart of French Guiana, and thereby offers the chance to involve the local Amerindians and Aluku people an opportunity to participate in cooperative scientific study. Some of them are exceptionally gifted naturalists and are extremely motivated ! Thus new survey sites should shortly see the light of day in the Amerindian villages of Maroni and Oyapock, in the heart of French Guiana !

Olivier Claessens
Project Leader, Life+ Cap DOM