Estacion Cientifica San Francisco (ECSF), Ecuador
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Objectives

Investigation of the ecology of the Southern Ecuadorian forests, to provide information for a sustainable development of the region, and to preserve the biological and cultural diversity of the region. Development of a program of basic investigations, as needed for the maintenance and improvement of the functions of Podocarpus National Park and other protected areas. To preserve the traditional knowledge of the population of the Southern region, and promote its systematization, diffusion and use and to promote the repatriation and translation of scientific knowledge about Southern Ecuador. To contribute to the training of local scientists and to promote the use of the scientific knowledge in education programs and to execute a stronger cooperation with local institutions, to strengthen the environmental conscience of the population.

Location and access

Estacion Cientifica San Francisco, is located in Southern Ecuador, 30 km from the provincial capitals Loja and Zamora, at the Northern limit of Podocarpus National Park. The station can be reached from Loja in 40 minutes on a paved road. The capital Quito is linked to Loja by a daily flight, and an extensive bus network. The transport from Loja to San Francisco can be organized with public buses, or with the vehicles of the station.

Research areas

The frontier region of Ecuador and Peru is known as one of the areas with the highest biodiversity worldwide. Low passes in the Andean chain permit migratory movements from the Amazon basin to the coast and vice versa. Additionally, a rapid transition of the humid Northern Paramos to the drier Central Andes, and the Northern Peruvian lowlands occurs in the area. This makes Southern Ecuador an ideal site for studies about biogeography, in very different ecosystems.

The research area of Estacion Cientifica San Francisco, bordered by the 146.000 ha of Podocarpus National Park, includes about 1000 hectares of primary tropical mountain forest, as well as small Paramo areas, at altitudes from 1800-3400 msnm. Additionall y, the station owns the following area on the Western side of the Andes: "El Romerillo", a little finca about 8 km South of Loja, includes 200 ha of primary and secondary forests, as well as deforested areas in different succession stages, after having been used for agriculture and livestock. All former activities have been well documented Other research areas, from the Amazon basin to the dry coastal areas are also accessible, allowing a complete transect through all ecosystems of the region.

Infrastructure

Estacion Cientifica San Francisco has an infrastructure for the permanent accommodation of up to 30 researchers: 11 bedrooms, 4 sanitary tracts, large kitchen, hall, herbarium and laboratory. A digital telephone line will be installed in the near future.

"El Romerillo" has basic accommodation for up to 4 scientists in a small cabin. For excursions, expeditions and larger student groups, short term accommodation can be provided, using bunk beds in the common areas of the station. For transport of scientists, ECSF will have 2 four-wheel drives and a small bus.

Research possibilities

Possible projects in San Francisco, center principally on vegetation studies, fauna, forest ecology, anthropology, zoology, hydrology, edafology etc., to generate directions for a sustainable development of the region.

Other research projects can include:

- Investigations about the restoration ecology of ecosystems, environmental impact monitoring, and the ecology of South Ecuador and the of conservation of watersheds for human use.

All scientific work carried out at the station has to comply with the highest ethical and scientific standards, and has to be in strict conformity with the biodiversity convention of the United Nations, the Cartagena convention about the common access to genetic resources, and all other agreements ratified by Ecuador. All research results obtained in Estacion Cientifica San Francisco will remain property of the station and cooperating organizations, and will be presented to the public during an annual conference. Additionally, the station will publish the results in an annual report.

Daily costs in ECSF

(Overnight rates are including full board, electricity, hot water, securit, e-mail access and park entrance fees.)

Students can be accommodated in double rooms only, if staying at the station for more than 2 months.

Foreign researchers working in ECSF areas without staying at ECSF-station are required to pay a per diem of US$ 10.- for entry, use of the station facilities, food, administrative costs, e-mail access, and access to ECSF research areas. For Ecuadorian re searchers, a charge of US$ 2,50.- applies.

Accommodation has to be reserved 4 weeks in advance. The respective per diems have to be paid at the beginning of the research term. If a term ends earlier, a respective refund will be given, if the earlier departure has been announced at least 14 days in advance. In case of later announcement, the full per diem for the respective days has to be paid. Cancellations of reserved accommodation have to be made at least 14 days in advance at the ECSF office, otherwise the full per diem has to be paid for the whole reserved period.

Fax and telephone costs are paid individually, according to the actual transmission costs. For the use of ECSF transport facilities, a charge of US$ 0,15.-/km (US$ 0,25.-/mile) driven applies. Additionally, the users have to cover the costs for gas.

ECSF STATION USE AGREEMENT

1. Legal requirements (permits etc.)

I, the undersigned Prof./Dr./Mrs./Mr..............................................., agree as follows that all research and other activities undertaken by myself and in my project are in accordance with the following conditions for the use of the land an d facilities of Estacion Cientifica San Francisco (ECSF):

For any investigation undertaken, I will apply for the respective research permit for this research to the administrative board of ECSF, represented by Dr. R.W. Bussmann, and all the Ecuadorian authorities concerned. All activities are undertaken in strict conformity with the respective Ecuadorian legislation and laws. Additionally, I agree, that all scientific work will comply with the highest scientific and ethical standards, and will be in strict conformity with the "Convention of Biodiversity of the United Nations", the "Convention of Cartagena of the Andean States about the Common Access to Genetic Resources", and any other similar or related international agreement ratified by the Ecuadorian government.

No study for genetic or other bioprospecting or Pharmacology will be allowed without my gaining the previous written permission of all required Ecuadorian authorities and the prior written permission of ECSF.

My project and research, undertaken while at ECSF, has no commercial funding, background, affiliation or intent, and will not establish such. I agree, that any and all physical or intellectual property resulting from any investigation undertaken at, or a ssociated with, my research at ECSF will be retained by ECSF, unless otherwise specifically agreed to in writing; however any retained rights associated with genetic or other bioprospecting or pharmacology will be transferred to the proper Ecuadorian authorities for the benefit of the People and State of Ecuador.

My project will include Ecuadorian counterparts and collaborators. I and all other investigators of the project will take special care to give Ecuadorian students the opportunity to realize the work for their academic thesis under our guidance.

All publications, including academic theses (Diploma, Ph.D.) will be published in English or Spanish, or will contain at least an extended summary in Spanish. To make all publications available for local use, additionally I agree to the following:

- An extended summary in Spanish of all publications will be published in the Journal of ECSF.
- I herewith agree to the translation of all academic theses published in my project into Spanish.
This translation will be undertaken free of charges by the Language Department of the Universidad Nacional de Loja, or/and ECSF, and the translated theses will be published as a series of aeECSF-Theses"
- An annual report about the progress of all projects will be published in the ECSF Journal in Spanish.

All research results will be presented to the local public during an annual conference, organized and coordinated with local organizations.

I agree to use my best efforts to respect all local customs and traditions for their intrinsic value and as a means to avoid and mitigate the cultural impacts of my activities.

2. Use of the station facilities

I, the undersigned Prof./Dr./Mrs./Mr..............................................., agree as follows that all research and other activities undertaken by myself and in my project are in accordance with the following conditions for the use of the land and facilities of Estacion Cientifica San Francisco (ECSF):

I, and all participants in the work carried out at ECSF, are affiliated to the administration of ECSF, as represented by Dr. R.W. Bussmann.

ECSF, Ivan Gayler, and their affiliates are not responsible for physical or psychological damage to any investigator or visitor within the properties or installations of ECSF, or during the use of any equipment belonging to ECSF. All investigations and activities are undertaken at own risk. In the event of any loss or injury whatsoever (including loss of life), regardless of the cause, I and my heirs and assigns agree to hold ECSF, Ivan Gayler, and their affiliates harmless, to waive all claims against them, and to indemnify them from loss.

Dr. R.W. Bussmann will act as mediator between the Research-Projects and ECSF, and evaluate and coordinate any project applications, which are subject to ECSF Board ratification.

An additional evaluation of projects by ECSF is required for:

- Any study resulting in the change of the structure of the concerned ecosystem, if larger than 10m x 10 m). - Projects intending to undertake ethnobotanical or pharmacological studies, or any kind of bioprospecting or genetic prospecting.

I agree to pay the respective costs for the use of ECSF facilities as published in the respectively valid price list.

I am responsible to provide for medical insurance for myself and to pay for all medical costs for myself or caused by my actions, whether due to illness, injury, or any other cause. Any use of transportation, vehicles, or machinery, whether owned by ECSF or any other entity or person is at my own risk, and I agree to indemnify ECSF, Ivan Gayler, and any affiliates from any loss associated therewith whatsoever.

I agree, that I shall be liable for any damage caused to the ECSF infrastructure or to other persons or property in any way associated with my presence, research, or activities at, or associated with, ECSF.

Parts 1 and 2 of this use agreement are subject to further elaboration and I agree to execute such further documentation as requested or required to effect this agreement, its elaboration, or the waivers on indemnities referred to herein. I also agree to abide by regulations for the use of the station and its property as they may change from time to time.

Agreed,

Location and Date:

Signature:

Application for the use of ECSF infrastructure

Name:

Given names:

Nationality:

Sex:

Date of birth:

Place of birth:

Passport number:

Date of expiry:

Period and type of work expected to be done in ECSF:

Signature:

Please submit the use application together with the station use agreement and a passport copy and two passport size photographs.

For further information, please contact:

Ing. Renzo Paladines
Vice-President and Executive Director
Casilla de Correos 11-01-332
Loja, Ecuador
Tel./Fax: ++593-7-573623 (Ecuador)
e-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Rainer W. Bussmann
Vice-President and Scientific Director
University of Bayreuth
Department of Plant Physiology
95440 Bayreuth, Germany
Fax: ++49-921-552642 (Germany)
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

Browsing Classification: General: Organizations Généralités: Organisations Generalidades: Organizaciones: Latin America
General: Research Programs Généralités: Programmes de recherche Generalidades: Programas de Investigación: Latin America

Citation: Bussmann, Rainer. 1998. Estacion Cientifica San Francisco, Ecuador. Research station description, fees, and use agreement.