Dr Shaun Russell presenting the seminar at Bangor University
Puerto Williams, Chile
Dr Shaun Russell the current Director of Treborth Botanic Gardens, Bangor University, has been involved with research projects in Chile for the past 15 years.
The £1.5 billion UK Government “Newton Fund” has supported Dr Russell in his research in Puerto Williams on the Beagle Channel – famously named after the HMS Beagle. In connection with the locations history, he is currently involved in the writing of a book entitled “The route of Darwin and the Early Explorers in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve”.
Rufous-legged Owl: thought to be extinct in Chile until researchers working on the Newton Fund projects rediscovered it (information sourced from Dr Russells seminar).
The biodiversity in Chile is extremely vast, Dr Russell spoke of some of the species he has encountered during his time there including:
Birds – Rhea, Flamingo, Pelican, Buff-necked Ibis, Andean Condor, Caracara, Rufous-legged Owl, Ringed Kingfisher, Magellanic Woodpecker, Steamer Duck, Parakeets, Penguins, Black-browed Albatross, Giant Petrel,
Terrestrial Mammals – Guanaco, Patagonian Fox,
Marine Mammals – Sealions, Fur Seals, Elephant Seals, various Cetaceans.
Alongside the Fauna, Beech Forest, Chile, is a world diversity hotspot for moss species, the main focus of much of Dr Russells work.
Projects
School books created by researchers and local children about native fauna and flora.
Various projects have been set up in Puerto Williams, including: aquatic invertebrates, bird ringing and research, and invasive Beaver studies.
A lot of work has also been done with local children and schools. Books have been created using drawings of native species that the children have drawn. In an attempt to keep the native historic culture alive all of these books are published in the native language of the area as well as in Spanish and English.
They also created a small Ethnobotanical Park with a moss garden “Jardin de los musgos”, containing boardwalks so visitors do not damage the mosses.
Training courses have been established for tour-guides from commercial ships that pass through the Beagle Channel heading to the Antarctic.
Looking to the Future
In an attempt to protect the local environment from the prolific Chilean mining, gravel extraction and timber industries, researchers worked for several years and funded two Chileans to produce a proposal for a Biosphere Reserve in the area, before the destructive industries reached the location.
Artists impression of the future Cape Horn Sub-Antarctic Centre
This high profile project gained the attention and interest of the local President, Michelle Bachelet. In 2016 she announced special plans for the development of the North and South exrteme zones in the area. Funneling the equivillent of £10 million of this budget into the creation of the Cape Horn Sub-Antarctic Centre.
They also want to extend the Biosphere reserve 60 degrees south to include the sub-marine mountains, as local fishing has decimated the west coast of Chile but not yet reached this area.
Personal Thoughts
This seminar was one of the most interesting I have attended. After its conclusion I stayed behind to talk personally to Dr Russell, he was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. At the time I was looking into applying to take part in the Antarctic Survey, a company he has worked very closely with in the past, and he offered to read over my application should I apply.
I believe this seminar will benefit my future career as it was mentioned, at the time of the talk, that he is currently the only British University person involved in the project. He expressed that many opportunities would be opening up once the building was complete and promised to keep Bangor students up to date if they wished to be involved. This would be a tremendous opportunity to gain work and research experience in the field.
Potentially my favourite part of the seminar however, was a quote Dr Russell made regarding ecological projects:
“These days, for impact, you need to do more than just measure the biology, make it relevant to people.”
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