The Chiquibul Underworld

  6th May 2013 

• 
  
• ·      Checking and collecting of Sherman traps
• ·      Breakfast
• ·      Cave
• ·      Lunch
• ·      Individuals working on their projects
• ·      Dinner

This morning we all awoke early to check the Sherman traps for any rodents, and then collected them. Our group was successful in catching a common house mouse. It is a nonnative organism brought into the forest by man. Boris explained if this research was continued and we only caught the mouse species, it is possibility they are affecting the native fauna survival. This conclusion can only be made though, if the same research method was applied in an area least affected by human impact for comparison.

Dr. Alegria, Mike, and Boris identifying the rodent captured

We captured an invasive species, the common house mouse

Around 8:40, succeeding breakfast, the whole group ventured into the cave, the Chiquibul Underworld. The cave measures as follows: 80m at the entrance, 180m at the highest, and 40m at the lowest. Archeologists are studying the cave now to see if there was a connection between the cave and Mayans water source. We currently use the caves water for Las Cuervas. The scientists did discover though that the cave was used for ceremonial and sacrificial purposes. There were stairs, clay pots, and platforms to signify that these events occurred. Unfortunately though, most of the property has been broken, vandalized, and stolen.

The whole exploration took two hours. It was hard to breathe due to the excess moisture present in the cave. Making the climb through the small spaces somewhat tiring. The cave’s features demonstrated that nature is a unique, fascinating system. I cannot describe the features present within the cave without under explaining their beauty, so below are many pictures. Everyday keeps getting better and better. We leave Las Cueravs on Wednesday, and I do not want to depart. It shall be a sad day. On a bright note, we will be visiting the second largest chain of coral reefs in the world. I hope our instructors at the marine reserve are as intelligent and kind as Boris.

Fungus that has adapted to live in the cave

Will

Kara, my twin

Jonathan cheesing for the camera.

Michelle and Will

Myself trying to get through the small cave openings.

Lindsay at the cave entrance

Alex and Alex at the cave opening

After lunch everyone is heading out to do his or her projects. Some people are measuring Xcate populations others are comparing the tree populations of two sites that vary in elevation. I am making a website for the Las Cuervas Research Station. They do not have control of their old website now. I will be adding a section though that will have all research regarding Chiquibul Forest in one condensed centralized location.

The group inside the cave

A group photo again with Albert

The cave opening, my favorite view