Our Mission
We provide immersive learning experiences that deepen comprehension and appreciation of tropical ecosystems.
Our objectives
Train the next generation of conservation scientists
Inspire and empower early-stage researchers to support their development and maximise their contribution to tropical biodiversity conservation.
Deepen understanding of ecological communities
Baseline and track changes in biodiversity — with a particular focus on the impact of local, international, and global human activities on vulnerable and endangered species.
Create awareness of tropical ecosystems
Communicate research findings and stories from the station to influence local ecosystem management and generate interest in protecting biodiversity amongst the broader public.
Progress to date
Since 1991, >2400 early-stage researchers have visited the station, producing >50 peer-reviewed papers
We combine cutting-edge research techniques with long-term monitoring datasets to deepen our understanding of ecological systems
The number of Hawksbill turtle nests found annually as part of the nesting marine turtle monitoring programme on Playa Norte (surveys were not undertaken in 2020 due to COVID restrictions)
Dr Helen Pheasey used decoy turtle eggs with sim cards to track the movement of eggs illegally poached on Playa Norte — the nesting beach monitored by COTERC. Peer-reviewed paper can be found at https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(20)31255-0
