Person wearing headlamp holds camera in dark forest surrounded by glowing green lights Person wearing headlamp holds camera in dark forest surrounded by glowing green lights

Protect what we know

Biodiversity monitoring at the world’s most species-rich sites

Research. Understand. Protect.

One thing has always been clear to us: if we are to effectively protect the Earth’s last remaining wilderness areas, we must learn to understand them. That is why our constitution commits us to research into nature conservation; we work in partnership with other NGOs and carry out our own research projects. This includes our biodiversity monitoring programme.

Biodiversity is more than just species diversity

When people talk about biodiversity, most people first think of the diversity of animal and plant species. But biological diversity encompasses much more than that: it describes the diversity of all life on Earth, ranging from the genes within a species, through the species themselves, to entire habitats and ecosystems. This also includes the functions that these ecosystems fulfil, such as when insects pollinate plants or animals disperse seeds in the forest. Species diversity is therefore only one part of the whole picture.

Nevertheless, looking at species is a particularly important starting point. They are the building blocks of an ecosystem, and anyone familiar with them already knows a great deal about the state of a habitat. Furthermore, species diversity can be measured relatively directly and compared over the years. This creates a solid data foundation upon which further questions can be built, such as how the species are interconnected and what role they play within the ecosystem.
A toad's eyes peer through dried leaves and twigs, camouflaged in the forest litter.
Monitoring biodiversity is no easy task when some rainforest inhabitants, such as this painted horned frog (Ceratophrys cornuta), are true masters of camouflage.

Why do we measure biodiversity?

By documenting biodiversity, we can gain direct insights into the ecological condition of a habitat, assess the effectiveness of our conservation strategy and draw conclusions about population trends.

However, biodiversity is not merely of local relevance. We are currently witnessing the greatest mass extinction of species since the demise of the dinosaurs – and this does not appear to be a coincidence. This man-made change is often referred to as the sixth mass extinction. 

Biodiversity is a fundamental building block of life on Earth: our basic needs, our economic systems and even much of our leisure time depend on intact ecosystems and their biodiversity. By measuring biodiversity, we can highlight changes, demonstrate the importance of protecting it, and clearly show the impact of nature conservation.

An overview of the benefits of biodiversity monitoring:

  • Recording species: Which animal and plant species live in our protected areas?
  • Identifying changes: establishing benchmarks and monitoring long-term trends.
  • Discovering unique features: documenting rare and shy species and, where possible, identifying previously unknown species.
  • Reviewing nature conservation: Assessing whether and how our conservation measures are working.
Two people sit at a table in rainforest, examining fruits protected in white mesh bags hanging above.
A small laboratory right in the heart of the rainforest – and all the data is carefully recorded.

How do we measure biodiversity?

During a research period, scientists use a variety of methods to assess the biodiversity of a study area. Depending on the animal order and habitat, a wide range of approaches – from minimally invasive to non-invasive – are employed.
Minimally invasive and non-invasive monitoring methods are those that affect animals and their habitats as little as possible. Whilst minimally invasive methods may require a brief, targeted intervention (e.g. bird ringing), non-invasive methods do not involve any direct contact with the animals at all.

Documenting tracks and animal tracks

The first indications of the presence of wild animals are their tracks and regularly used paths, known as ‘animal tracks’. These are frequently used routes that the animals follow time and again to reach important locations in the forest, such as clay licks in the Peruvian rainforest or drinking water sources.

When our researchers discover interesting tracks or actively used trails, these locations are often the ideal starting point for installing monitoring equipment and making further arrangements for documentation.

Human hand next to an animal paw print in wet sand on a beach
We come across traces of coastal wolves quite often – but we rarely get to see the animals themselves.

Audio sensors and wildlife cameras

Whether on the forest floor or high up in the treetops: in the rainforests of our protected areas – whether tropical or temperate – life thrives at every level. To record even shy, nocturnal or canopy-dwelling species, our researchers therefore rely on wildlife cameras and audio sensors – two minimally invasive monitoring methods that the rainforest’s animal inhabitants generally barely notice.

These devices are installed specifically in locations that are particularly attractive to and frequented by animals: for example, near clay licks, drinking spots, along their trails on the forest floor or in particularly spreading tree canopies. This enables us to record videos, audio and photographs even over extended periods without the animals being aware of the monitoring.

A man in jungle surroundings examines data on a monitoring device mounted on a tree.
Our forest guardians in Peru regularly check our wildlife cameras and back up the stored data.

The audio sensors, in particular, generate enormous amounts of data. AI assists the researchers with the analysis by comparing the recordings against extensive databases and identifying possible species on the basis of characteristic calls. However, however powerful the technology may be, it cannot do without human expertise. The researchers check the results, review the recordings and document only those species that have been unequivocally identified. 

The cameras in the canopy also require a fair bit of effort: trained tree climbers securely attach the devices to the tops of the primeval forest giants. The researchers themselves then have to climb up there time and again to replace the SD cards regularly.

All recordings are reviewed and the species documented in them are systematically recorded. This allows species lists, population sizes and possible changes to be compared over longer periods. In this way, wildlife cameras and audio sensors provide an increasingly detailed insight into the hidden diversity of the rainforest – at every level.

Highlights from our wildlife cameras

Thanks to our wildlife cameras, we gain unique insights into the wildlife in our conservation areas that would otherwise have remained hidden from us.
Wolf walking on forest trail surrounded by dense trees and lush green vegetation, wildlife camera footage from August 2, 2025
Coastal wolves (Canis lupus) are perfectly adapted to life by the sea. Marine food sources can account for up to 85 per cent of their diet.
Black lemur climbing on a moss-covered tree branch in dense rainforest surrounded by lush green vegetation.
Bald-faced sakis (Pithecia irrorata), which we have so far only observed in our protected areas in the Manu region of Peru, spend almost their entire lives in the trees. With their powerful hind legs, they can leap astonishingly far between branches.
Two jaguars walking across muddy riverbank terrain with sparse vegetation and fallen branches in wildlife habitat.
The presence of apex predators such as these jaguars (Panthera onca) is an important indicator of the health of the ecosystem.
Black bear walking through forest on mossy ground. Trail camera footage from May 2026.
Although black bears (Ursus americanus) belong to the order of carnivores, they are omnivores. A large proportion of their diet consists of plants, berries and other plant-based foods.
Four colourful macaws perched on thick branches in a rainforest canopy.
Scarlet macaws (Ara macao) form monogamous pairs and remain with the same partner for a long time.
Tapir resting on a log in dense rainforest with thick green vegetation surrounding it.
Baby tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) are born with a striking striped and spotted coat. The white or light-coloured stripes and spots help to camouflage them amidst the play of light and shadow in the forest.
Bald eagle in mossy forest with dense evergreen trees, captured on trail camera
The visual acuity of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is at least four times better than that of a person with normal eyesight. This enables it to spot its prey even from a great distance – perfect for hunting over rivers, lakes and the coastline.
Two dark weasels with tan chest markings walking on mossy forest floor among trees.
Tayras (Eira barbara) are not only skilful hunters, but can also act as seed dispersers. When they eat fruit and excrete the seeds elsewhere, they help the forest to regenerate.
Reddish-brown primate hanging from tree branches in dense rainforest, looking toward camera.
Howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) are among the loudest land animals in the world. Their howls can be heard from several kilometres away.
Chimpanzee with black upper body and grey legs walking through jungle forest
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is perfectly adapted to its favourite food: using its long, sticky tongue, it catches ants and termites from their nests.
African fish eagle perched on a branch in dense forest, looking toward the camera.
Sometimes our wildlife cameras are spotted and eyed curiously – as by this young harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja).

Point counts and transects

Recurring point counts provide an overview of the relative density and diversity – particularly of the bird population – within a study area over the course of a research period. In addition, the researchers work along fixed survey lines, known as transects. Before sunrise, they set up fine-mesh nets there to gently capture individual birds and examine them individually as part of the ‘bird processing’ procedure.

In doing so, they record, amongst other things, the bird’s general state of health and examine its plumage in great detail. The plumage not only reveals the bird’s age and sex, but also whether it is currently breeding or infested with external parasites. Once the data has been recorded, each bird is fitted with a small ring on its leg. This allows it to be clearly identified should it be caught again later, and its data records to be compared. The ring does not, of course, interfere with the birds’ daily lives.

Incidentally, it is not only birds that can be studied in this way. Bats, too, can be caught, examined and documented using such nets.


Hands holding a white daisy flower in warm light against a blurred green background with bokeh.

Random observations

Unlike birds or bats, encounters with reptiles and amphibians in the rainforest cannot be arranged so easily using nets. Frogs, lizards, snakes and the like are usually documented following chance observations – so-called opportunistic sightings – and without standardised search grids – for example, when our expedition team is surprised by a coral snake upon arrival at the research camp.  

On their night-time forest walks, the researchers scan the dense jungle undergrowth with headlamps for glints of light. If they discover frogs or lizards in the process, the findings are recorded and documented. As encounters with snakes are particularly rare, these individuals are examined in greater detail. The animal’s age, sex, size, weight and general state of health are also entered into our database.


Researcher wearing headlamp observes brown frog clinging to wet green leaf at night

Botanical species inventory

Of course, we don’t just take a look at the animal inhabitants of our conservation areas; we also study the flora of the rainforest. To do this, we mark out several survey areas – known as plots – count and identify the plant species found there, and measure all the larger trees.

These giant trees are mapped by our team and can also serve as a starting point for new wildlife cameras.

An older man uses a measuring tape to measure a moss-covered tree trunk while a young woman watches behind him.

Biodiversity monitoring in various protected areas

Of course, we carry out research in both our conservation areas in Peru and Canada – albeit to varying degrees so far. In Peru, we have a local team on the ground almost all year round, which is based at our research station in the heart of the Secret Forest and is able to conduct research on a daily basis.

The situation is different in the Misty Forest, our conservation area in Canada. This is so remote that a research team is only present there for any length of time during our annual expedition. In the Misty Forest, too, we use camera traps and audio sensors, and in the summer of 2026 we installed an unmanned research station for data collection for the first time. By expanding our team in Canada, we aim to carry out research in our sites more regularly in future, in order to collect even more valuable research data.
Three young people examine fishing nets and crab traps on a beach. One holds a tablet while inspecting the gear together.
It’s important to make the most of every opportunity. That’s why, together with marine biologist Tyra and our ambassadors Jacob and Felix, we lowered an underwater camera into the water.

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