We identified twenty-five species to begin researching.

July 23, 2004 

We finished another site with the bamboo pipes and the last two are near completion.  We also transplanted another forty plants.  We have been  collecting our plastic bottles (which we use as containers for plants) from the beach.

We went on the ridge walk from La Cruz to Leonidas Plaza yesterday.  Astounding!  We all enjoyed it immensely. With Marcelo as our guide, I was able to gain some interesting information.  I will walk it again soon to further explore future sites.

Speaking of Marcelo, we had an excellent meeting on Tuesday regarding Project Seed Bank.  We identified twenty-five species to begin researching. We also identified our objectives for the project and constructed a list of questions which we want to answer for each species.  (Click here for Project Seed Bank information)  

I stopped by the Mayor’s wife Michelle’s office to follow up on the conversation we had last week.  She wasn’t in however.  I left a note that I would stop in again when I return from Quito. Christina and I are leaving for the Social Forum tomorrow night.  We will be back the following Saturday.  I’m leaving a detailed work schedule for Sol and Celena.  I’m confident everything will go well.  While in Quito I will be checking email regularly, keeping up with volunteer correspondence.

We ended the week with a hike through Cerro Seco, again with Marcelo and his volunteer Ben.  Marcelo identified two or three species of trees where we can begin collecting seeds.  The Ciebo tree is one of these.  Marcelo and Ben have been extremely supportive and generous in sharing their knowledge with the Planet Drum crew.  I appreciate and respect their dedication to La Pacha Mama (Mother Earth).

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Project Seed Bank

Objectives for Project

• Trade seeds in order to increase the biodiversity of each Dry Tropical forest species as listed below
• Increase partnership between ecologists in Ecuador
• Create a comprehensive reference manual in English and Spanish
• Create a website to increase awareness and trading seeds

Research

For each Dry Tropical Forest species know the following:

• How to store seeds
• What time of year seeds fall, when to collect the seeds, and when to plant the seeds?

• How does the species fit into the ecology of the ecosystem; what species depend on it, what benefits does it have to the ecosystem?
• What type of root system does it have?
• What is its growth rate?
• What soil does it prefer?
• Is it shade or light tolerant?
• Terrain preference
• Life cycle; when it seeds, male, female, or hermaphroditic
• Type of Species; Latin and common names, category of species
• Rate of succession 
• Range 

Dry Tropical Species

• Algarrobos
• Amarillo, Centrolobium paraense
• Balsa,
• Balsamo, Myroxylon balsamum
• Colarado
• Caoba, Swietenia macrophylla
• Caoba del Carmen, Platymiscium pinnatum
• Cascol
• Cedro, Cedrela oderata
• Chirimolla
• Ebano
• Fernan Sanchez, Triplaris guayaquilensis
• Flor-del-Niño 
• Frutillo
• Guachapeli, Albizia guachapele
• Guasmo 
• Guayacan, Tabebuia chrysantha
• Hobo
• Jabon Cillo
• Laurel, Cordia alliadora
• Madera Negra, Tahebuia ecuadorensis
• Moral Fino, Chlorophora tinctoria
• Moyuyo
• Pechiche
• Zapote De Perro