The ProAves El Dorado Reserve continues to strengthen its position as a leading site for biodiversity research and conservation in Colombia. Recently, the Plant Guide of the ProAves El Dorado Reserve was officially published on the Field Museum’s Field Guides platform, one of the most internationally recognized scientific institutions.
This guide is the result of a collaborative effort led by researchers and botanists¹ who, throughout the project, documented and systematized a significant portion of the plant diversity found in the Reserve. The ProAves El Dorado Natural Reserve is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the most biodiverse and unique ecosystems on the planet.
The publication of this material represents a key contribution to the knowledge of the region’s flora, as it provides identification and reference tools for researchers, students, local guides, and visitors interested in understanding the botanical richness of the territory.
As a next step, the research team plans to submit a scientific article derived from this work to the journal Conservación Colombiana, which will further expand the dissemination of the results and reinforce the importance of research applied to conservation.
The guide is freely accessible through the Field Museum’s platform: https://science.fieldmuseum.org/fieldguides/guides/guide/1729, reaffirming ProAves’ commitment to generating and sharing scientific knowledge in support of the conservation of Colombia’s biodiversity.
Additionally, as part of this same research effort, the article “Orchids in the Caribbean: Characterization of the Orchidaceae Family in the ProAves El Dorado Reserve”, was published in the journal Conservación Colombiana. Authored by researcher Miguel Ángel Gómez Riaño, this study deepens the understanding of one of the most diverse and representative plant groups in the region, providing detailed information on its diversity and distribution.
Both the plant guide and this scientific article are the only publications of their kind available for San Lorenzo, a key sector of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This highlights their scientific value and their relevance for conservation, research, and environmental education.
These products not only expand knowledge of the floristic diversity of the ProAves El Dorado Reserve, but also strengthen conservation management and planning by providing essential information for monitoring, decision-making, and the appreciation of the territory’s natural heritage.
At ProAves, we recognize and thank the commitment and dedication of the individuals who made these works possible. Their impact extends beyond the Reserve and contributes to a broader understanding and appreciation of the plant diversity of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta as a whole.
¹ Photo credits: The photographs included in the Plant Guide of the ProAves El Dorado Reserve were taken by Yeison Herrera Medina, Alyssa T. Kullberg, Camilo Palacios, Juan Camilo Osorio Ospina, Maria Paula Contreras, Riley P. Fortier, and Lina Aragón, as part of the collaboration agreement developed for this project.
