If REGUA is to provide long-term conservation of the Atlantic Forest of the upper Guapiaçu river basin, then we have to develop a far greater knowledge of the flora and fauna present and the factors that affect their survival.

REGUA’s objectives therefore include creating a detailed bio-inventory of the fauna and flora present at REGUA, and encouraging and supporting research projects which will increase our understanding of their distribution, behaviour and habitat requirements.

Our strategy to achieve this objective is to:

• Provide facilities and accommodation for reseachers
• Provide support to enable local and international universities, institutions and individuals to conduct research
• Publish scientific papers, species lists and identification guides on the flora and fauna present at REGUA

All research conducted out at REGUA must be consistent with REGUA’s mission and carried out in in accordance with strict regulations.

In addition to the work of professional scientists, much research at REGUA is also carried out through citizen science, with naturalists and birders contributing to our knowledge of the biodiversity present here by documenting and photographing the flora and fauna they find and submitting their records to REGUA.

Here at REGUA we feel that our research programme is developing extremely well, but we are now keen to establish a Scientific Advisory Council to coordinate and stimulate future research, and to ensure that the research conducted meets the highest international standards.

Professor Pablo from the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is quoted as saying “We know what is out there but how it works is still a mystery”. In REGUA’s case we still have a lot to learn about what is out there, and it will be many years (if ever) before we know how it really works.

Please direct any research queries to our Research Co-ordinator, Jorge Bizarro.