STRI newsletter March 29, 1991 SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUrE - Apartado 2072, Balboa, Panama No. 13 SEMINARS Tupper Center Auditorium No noon seminar scheduled for Tuesday, April 2. Next Week Tuesday, April 9, noon seminar speaker will be Tim Holliday, The Open University. PEOPLE Arrivals • Jack Wiley, SI Magazine, March 31 - April 8, to write an article on Canopy Biology and the tower crane, also to visit STRI facilites and staff. Departures • March 30- April 30, Carl Hansen, STRI Photographer, on a combined official/vacation trip. Will be in Washington, DC, at the SI Photographic Services Office consulting with Lorie Aceto and others. • April 3 - May 3, Hendrik Wolda, STRI Scientific Staff, to consult with colleagues and visit museum and institutions Netherlands, Hungary and Checkoslovakia. • April 3 - April 16, Ross Robertson, Juan Diego Lopez, Gabriel Jacome, to Buenaventura, Colombia, to join a Colombian research expedition for a scientific research visit to Malpelo Island. UPCOMING EVENTS April Calendar April t , April 2 April 9 April 15 April 24 APRIL 1991 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Application deadline for Scholarly Studies program. Short-Term Fellowship Academic Board Meeting. Three Year Fellowship Review Meeting. Scientific Staff Meeting. Deadline for Seidell Endowment Fund. Application deadline for James Smithson Society. Sendero Natural F1 Cantar, Parque Nacional Chagres (Tornado de la gu(a interpretativa publicada por el grupo Melo) El Sendero Natural EI Cantar en el Parque N acional Chagres es el producto de la iniciativa del Grupo Melo, S.A. Este parque es de gran importancia como fuente de agua para el canal y el abasteciminto de las ciudades de Panama, Col6n y Chorrera. El Grupo Melo adquiri6 tierras en el area antes de la creaci6n del parque. Debido a su ubicaci6n en la Urbanizaci6n Altos de Cerro Azul, el trayecto hacia la entrada del sendero se encuentra vigil ado par el personal de seguridad de la urbanizaci6n, mientras que el mismo sendero es constantemente vigil ado por los guardaparques del Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales Renovables (lNRENARE). El recorrido total del sendero es de 1600 metros y el trafico es apto para toda persona que desee conocer mas a fondo nuestros recursos naturales. El sendero cuenta con gufa y un folleto interpretativo, que explica en deta11e las 9 estaciones. Hasta el momenta wlo se permite la visita al sendero por medio de invitaci6n. Para mayor informaci6n, favor llamar al Ing. Armando Silvestre, 60- 4813/60-0990. (En la foto podemos apreciar la visita de un grupo de STRI al area.) (Foto de C. Hansen) March 29,1991 SMl'IHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Apartado 2072, Balboa, Panama No. 13 TlIINGS TO KNOW De La Oficina de Personal Cualquier empleado que necesite explica- ciones adicionales sobre c6mo se calculan los impuestos de Panamci, puede acercarse a esta oficina en Tivoli. Riesgos Profesiona1es La charla sobre Riesgos Profesionales por la Caja del Seguro Social (2 hrs) programada para abri! 3, 10:30 a.m., tendrc11ugar en el Sal6n de Conferencias de Surfside. ANNOUNCEMENTS From the Photo Department Carl Hansen will be in the U.S. from Mar 30-Apr 30. During his absence, there will be limits applied to the work being accepted by the Photo Department: • Normal requests from STRI staff scientists and administration will be accepted with the usual 2 week due date. • Work requests from fellows and visiting scientists will be accepted only under the authorizing signature of a STRI scientist, and then a 3 week due date will be re- quired. • RUSH work will be accepted only in dire emergencies. All RUSH requests will be billed. The OPPS policy on billing for RUSH requests is a $35lhour overtime fee with a 2 hour minimum for any request ($70 minimum). The requestor must pro- vide hislher fund number, which will be billed. Se Vende Excelente lote de terreno de 1200 m2, en el centro de las frescas tierras de la ciudad de Volcc1n, colindantes con tres calles y acceso a luz, agua y telefono. Excelente oferta de verano. Trate directo con el dueiio. Para mayor informaci6n contacte a Em~rita Bo- race, 20-5684. At the dosing ceremony for the international course on Management and Conservation o/Natural Areas held at the STRI Tupper Center, Guatemalan participant (second from left) personally invited the Guatemalan ambassador (third from left) in Panama to attend ••• Durante la clausura del Curso Internacional sobre Manejo y Conservacion de Areas Silvestres que tuvo lugar recientemente en el Centro Tupper, uno de los participantes de Guatemala (segundo de la izquierda) invito persona/mente al embajador de ese pats en PalUl11Ui (tercero de la izquierda) a conocer sobre el evento. (Foro: C. Hansen) ~EARCH STATIONS IN THE TROPICS Colombia - "EI Refugio" Biological Station (Choco Biogeographical Region) The Choc6 biogeographical region comprises the lowlands and mountains west of the Andes in Colombia (Choco Department and western parts of Valle, Cauca and Nariiio Departments) and Ecuador. It is known as a region of unusually high endemism in plants, birds and butterflies. Its lowlands forests are one of the species-richest communities in the world; its high biological diversity has been correlated with the high levels of precipitation. The Choc6 region has been a major refuge area during the dry glacial periods, an especially well documented fact for birds and vascular plants. "El Refugio" biological station is located at the edge of the Choc6 biogeo- graphical region, on the western versant of the western cordillera, at elevations between 1600 and 1900 m, 23 kIn away from Cali, on the road to Buenaventura (Valle Department). It includes 14 ha of species-rich forest and 9 ha of open lands which were acquired ten years ago by a Colombian family concerned with the conservation of native species. Since then, the open areas have been enriched with numerous living collections of Andean plants. Annual precipitation is about 4500 mm. Heavy fog in the afternoon and in the evening is a salient feature of the climate; epiphyte richness characterizes the forest. March 29, 1991 SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSfITUTE, Apartado 2072, Balboa, Panama No. 13 In order to promote conservation, biological education and research "EI Refugio" opened its doors to the international community of tropical biologist in May 1989 (accommodation facilities are provided). The station offers an excellent opportunity for biological field research in the Choco biogeographi- cal region, i.e., not only on the grounds of the station, but also in the dry pocket of the Dagua Canyon, a xerophytic enclave in the Choc6 region (only 25 kIn away), and in the lowlands near Buenaventura (one to two hours away). The station is specially recommended for research in floral biology, ecology, floristics, ornithology and entomology. "EI Refugio" is also be available for college field courses. For further information please contact Eduardo Calder6n at Calle 44A, 4N-I05, La Flora, Calf, Colombia. Mexico - The Sierra de ManantIan Biosphen Reserve and Labora- torio Natural Las Joyas In 1979, the discovery of a wild perennial relative of maize, named Zea diploperennis, called attention to the Sierra of Manantlan, the only region in the world where this plant occurs in the wild. Subsequent investigations carried out by the University of Guadalajara and the University of Wisconsin resulted in a proposal for the conservation of this mountain range. In late 1984, the first conservation measures were implemented by the State of Jalisco with the purchase of Las Joyas Ranch, to protect the population of wild perennial maize, and to establish a research station for the University of Guadalajara. In 1985, the University of Guadalajara created the Laboratorio Natural Las Joyas, an institution oriented towards scientific research and the conservation of natural resources. With support from the Secretary of Urban Development and Ecology (SEDUE) and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), preliminary studies were completed which provided the basis for the proposal to establish the Sierra de Manantlan as a Biosphere Reserve. • General Information The Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve encompasses an area of 139,577 ha of a mountain range that forms part of the Sierra Madre del Sur. It is located in the municipalities of Autlan, Toliman, Tuxcacuesco, Casimiro, Castillo, and Cuautitlan, in the State of Jalisco; and Comala and Minatitlan in the State of Colima in western M~xico, and is situated approximately 50 kIn from the Pacific Coast. Most of the Sierra de Manantlan is of volcanic origin (Miocene). The southeastern part, Cerro Grande, is a calcareous dome (Cretaceous), which harbors an extensive system of caverns and sink holes, some more than 3 kIn long and 230 m deep, respectively. • Biologic~ Diversity The Sierra 'of Manantlan is important not only for the presence of the now famous wild perennial relative of maize, but also because it contains 17 other plants endemic to Western Mexico, and an impressive diversity of genera and species. More than 2,000 species of plants have been reported in these mountains. The Sierra of Manantlan is located in one of the few areas in the world which presents a relatively abrupt biogeographical transition, in this case between the Neartic and Neotropical regions. Within its extreme varia- tion in altitude, from 400 to 2,860 m above sea level, eight district forest types occur: Tropical Deciduous and Subdeciduous forest in the lower elevations; Deciduous Oak (Quercus spp) forest at mid-elevations; and Pine (Pinus spp), Pine Oak, Subdeciduous Oak and Pine Fir (Pinus-Abies) forest at the higher elevations. The humid areas where fog is common, harbors the lush cloud forest. • Cultural History The population of the Sierra de Manantlan, including ejido members, other communal land holders, private property owners, their families and other local residents, comprises about 32,000 people. Of these, 8,000 live within the Reserve itself. Archeological evidence indicates that the Re- serve and its immediate area have been inhabited since at least the late Pre-dassic, approximately 300 B.C. - 300 A.D. Popula- tion size sustained in this area before the Spanish conquest is comparable to early 20th century levels, according to ethnohistorical sources. • Laboratorio Natural Las Joyas The Laboratorio Natural Las Joyas is an institute of the University of Guadalajara established with the support of the State of Jalisco, dedicated to the conservation of the sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve. During the last five years, the University of Guadalajara, with the support of the State of jalisco, has maintained a program of scientif- ic research and effective protection in the ECU. Presently, due to the work of the INIJ a databank of biological, ecological and cultural information from the Sierra de Ma- nantlan has been created and provides a resource which very few other reserves in Mexico or Latin America have at their disposal. • If interested please contact: Laborarorio Natural Las Joyas de la Sierra de Manantllin, Universidad de Guadalajara, Nifios Heroes No. 53, EI Grullo, Jalisco, MEXICO, Tel (338) 7-27-4817-27-49. March 29, 1991 SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INsrrrurE, Apartado 2on, Balboa, Panama No. 13 From The Personnel Office • De la Oficina de Personal The greatest discovery of my generation, wrote William James, is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. Mental Health Rules Some years ago Dr. Joseph Fetterman set down ten Mental Health Rules as a practical guide to rational, productive living. The rules embody such wisdom and common sense that the piece has rapidly become a classic. Here they are: • Have a hobby. Acquire pursuits that absorb your interest; sports and "nature" are best. • Develop a philosophy. Adapt yourself to social and spiritual surroundings. El mayor descubrimiento de mi generaciOn, escribiO William James, es que los seres humanos pueden modificar sus vidas modi- ficando sus actitudes mentales. Reglas de Higiene Mental Hace algunos aDOS el Dr. Joseph Fetterman propuso diez Reglas de Higiene Mental como una gufa pnictica para una vida racional y productiva. Estas reglas encierran tal sabidurfa y sentido comlin que se han convertido en algo clasico. He1as aquf: • Tenga un pasatiempo. Interesese en cosas que absorb an su interes; los deportes y "la naturaleza" son las mejores. • Desarrolle una filosofia. Adaptese a su ambiente social y espiritual. • EnCrentese a sus temores. AnaHcelos: • Face your fears. Analyze them: r-----;=========;-----, la luz desvanece los fantasmas. daylight dismisses ghosts. • Share your thoughts. Cultivate companionship in thought and feel- ings. Confide, confess, consult. • Balance fantasy with fact. Dream but also do; wish but build; imagine but ever face reality. • Beware of alluring escapes. Alco- hol and opiates may prove faithless friends. :-No, Mr. Meyers. ¥ou'U have to ap- • Exercise. Walk, swim, golf -mus- pear for tlwse flu shots personally. It cles need activity. doesn'! do lIny good to send your sec- retary- ••• "No, Sr. Meyers. tiene • Trust in time. Be patient and hope- que }lew personalmente para sus ful, time is a great therapist. vacunas. De 1Ulda sirve que mande a su secretaria.1/ The most glorious moments in your life Sens C h S _~.s_ .sAl h e 0 umor. elUWQ U« umor are not the so-called days of success, • Comparta sus pensamientos. Cultive el compafierismo en pensamientos y sentimientos. Tenga confianza, reco- nozca, consulte. • Equilibre Ia fantasia con los hechos. Sueiie, pero tambien actl.1e; desee, pero construya; imagine, pero sin perder de vista la rea1idad. • Mucho cui dado con las tentadoras vfas de esCape. El alcohol y las drogas resultacln amigos perfidos. • Haga ejercicio. Carnine, nade, juegue golf -los musculos necesitan actividad. • Conrie en el tiempo .. Sea paciente y tenga esperanza; el tiempo es e1 gran terapeuta. but rather ~ose days when out of dejection and despair you feel rise in you a challenge to life, and the promise of future accomplishments. -Flaubert Los momentos mas gloriosos de la vida no son los llamados dfas de triunfo, sino aquellos en que, en medio del abatimiento y la desesperaci6n, uno siente interiormente que se eleva un reta a la vida, y la promesa de realizaciones venideras. -Flaubert Hasta la pr6Xima!~