Research
Coupled Human-Natural Systems
Unless we understand that social and ecological issues are inextricably entangled, we will fail to come up with long term and sustainable solutions. For that reason, my research in this area couples the ecological with the social dimensions of biodiversity conservation.
I am interested for example in understanding what kinds of cultural values of animals we risk losing in the face of climate change and deforestation. Also, what kinds of agricultural practices can enhance both the benefits that people derive from birds (such as pest control) and promote the birds that people find the most beautiful and important.
Photo: Daniel S. Karp
Selected Publications
Media
- Echeverri, Smith. et al. (2022). Biodiversity and infrastructure interact to drive tourism to and within Costa Rica. PNAS.
- Echeverri, et al. (2021). Avian cultural services peak in tropical wet forests. Conservation Letters
- Echeverri, et al. (2020). Can avian functional traits predict cultural ecosystem services? People and Nature
Smith, Taylor, Echeverri, et al. (2021). - Big wheel keep on turnin': Linking grower attitudes, farm management, and delivery of avian ecosystem services. Biological Conservation
Coupled Human-Natural Systems
Unless we understand that social and ecological issues are inextricably entangled, we will fail to come up with long term and sustainable solutions. For that reason, my research in this area couples the ecological with the social dimensions of biodiversity conservation.
I am interested for example in understanding what kinds of cultural values of animals we risk losing in the face of climate change and deforestation. Also, what kinds of agricultural practices can enhance both the benefits that people derive from birds (such as pest control) and promote the birds that people find the most beautiful and important.
Photo: Daniel S. Karp
Selected Publications
Media
- Echeverri, Smith. et al. (2022). Biodiversity and infrastructure interact to drive tourism to and within Costa Rica. PNAS.
- Echeverri, et al. (2021). Avian cultural services peak in tropical wet forests. Conservation Letters
- Echeverri, et al. (2020). Can avian functional traits predict cultural ecosystem services? People and Nature
Smith, Taylor, Echeverri, et al. (2021). - Big wheel keep on turnin': Linking grower attitudes, farm management, and delivery of avian ecosystem services. Biological Conservation
Biodiversity and environmental change
Tropical biodiversity is impacted by various human activities. For example, people convert forests to commodity-oriented agriculture, and are warming the climate at unprecedented rates. The new environments that are being created, such as a warmer climate and degraded and deforested landscapes are shaping the patterns of species richness and distribution we see on the landscape.
Our research in this area has explored which species thrive in gradients of intensive food production zones, versus which are limited to intact forests. We also study how diversity patterns will change in the future if trends of deforestation and climatic extremes keep occurring.
Photo: Daniel S. Karp
Selected Publications
Media
- Echeverri, et al. (2019). Precipitation and tree cover gradients structure avian alpha diversity in North-western Costa Rica. Diversity and Distributions.
- Karp, Frishkoff, Echeverri, et al. (2018). Agriculture erases climate-driven ß-diversity in Neotropical bird communities. Global Change Biology.
- Frishkoff, Echeverri, et al. (2018). Do correlated responses to multiple environmental changes exacerbate or mitigate species loss? Oikos
Karp, Echeverri, et al.
(2019). - Remnant forest in Costa Rican working landscapes fosters bird communities that are indistinguishable from protected areas. Journal of Applied Ecology
Biodiversity and environmental change
Tropical biodiversity is impacted by various human activities. For example, people convert forests to commodity-oriented agriculture, and are warming the climate at unprecedented rates. The new environments that are being created, such as a warmer climate and degraded and deforested landscapes are shaping the patterns of species richness and distribution we see on the landscape.
Our research in this area has explored which species thrive in gradients of intensive food production zones, versus which are limited to intact forests. We also study how diversity patterns will change in the future if trends of deforestation and climatic extremes keep occurring.
Photo: Daniel S. Karp
Selected Publications
Media
- Echeverri, et al. (2019). Precipitation and tree cover gradients structure avian alpha diversity in North-western Costa Rica. Diversity and Distributions.
- Karp, Frishkoff, Echeverri, et al. (2018). Agriculture erases climate-driven ß-diversity in Neotropical bird communities. Global Change Biology.
- Frishkoff, Echeverri, et al. (2018). Do correlated responses to multiple environmental changes exacerbate or mitigate species loss? Oikos
Karp, Echeverri, et al.
(2019). - Remnant forest in Costa Rican working landscapes fosters bird communities that are indistinguishable from protected areas. Journal of Applied Ecology
Human dimensions of wildlife
People can help halt biodiversity loss by donating to conservation programs and by advocating for policies that help promote the protection of biodiversity.
Our research in this area has explored people’s motivations, perceptions, and attitudes towards wildlife. Answering: what motivates people to donate to conservation of species and ecosystems? Can we use persuasive communication to increase conservation-motivated actions? And, are games effective tools to raise awareness on biodiversity?
We have also studied the factors that shape people’s attitudes towards wildlife, such as culture and history, and have collaborated with scholars in various fields (English, Psychology, Anthropology) to explore the human dimensions of wildlife.
Photo by: Juan Camilo Mora
Selected Publications
Media
Echeverri, et al. (2017). How messaging shapes attitudes toward sea otters as a species at risk. Journal of Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
Echeverri, et al. (2018). Approaching human-animal relationships from multiple angles: A synthetic perspective. Biological Conservation
Dinat, Echeverri, et al. (2019). Eco-xenophobia among rural populations: The Great-tailed Grackle as a contested species in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Journal of Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
Human dimensions of wildlife
People can help halt biodiversity loss by donating to conservation programs and by advocating for policies that help promote the protection of biodiversity.
Our research in this area has explored people’s motivations, perceptions, and attitudes towards wildlife. Answering: what motivates people to donate to conservation of species and ecosystems? Can we use persuasive communication to increase conservation-motivated actions? And, are games effective tools to raise awareness on biodiversity?
We have also studied the factors that shape people’s attitudes towards wildlife, such as culture and history, and have collaborated with scholars in various fields (English, Psychology, Anthropology) to explore the human dimensions of wildlife.
Photo by: Juan Camilo Mora
Selected Publications
Media
Echeverri, et al. (2017). How messaging shapes attitudes toward sea otters as a species at risk. Journal of Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
Echeverri, et al. (2018). Approaching human-animal relationships from multiple angles: A synthetic perspective. Biological Conservation
Dinat, Echeverri, et al. (2019). Eco-xenophobia among rural populations: The Great-tailed Grackle as a contested species in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Journal of Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
Biocultural diversity in Colombia
People travel to the most biodiverse places in the world to find charismatic wildlife, such as lions and tigers. People also travel to admire the world’s majestic heritage sites to learn about past civilizations and enjoy modern culture, for example by experiencing archaeological sites and music festivals.
Several developing countries, including Colombia, are betting on tourism as the sector that brings the most opportunities for sustainable development, building upon its biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.
We are working with local governments and communities, characterizing and assessing options with a multidisciplinary team of academics and practitioners, and inspiring with a clear basis for planning and achieving a future that conserves, celebrates, and supports livelihoods and a tourism economy based on the richness of nature and culture. We are answering applied questions such as: where are the places with the highest potential for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing? Where are the places with the highest potential for cultural experiences of different sorts? Where and how do these opportunities coincide? Can we develop a metric for biocultural diversity that maps both culture and biodiversity?
Several developing countries, including Colombia, are betting on tourism as the sector that brings the most opportunities for sustainable development, building upon its biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.
We are working with local governments and communities, characterizing and assessing options with a multidisciplinary team of academics and practitioners, and inspiring with a clear basis for planning and achieving a future that conserves, celebrates, and supports livelihoods and a tourism economy based on the richness of nature and culture. We are answering applied questions such as: where are the places with the highest potential for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing? Where are the places with the highest potential for cultural experiences of different sorts? Where and how do these opportunities coincide? Can we develop a metric for biocultural diversity that maps both culture and biodiversity?
Biocultural diversity in Colombia
People travel to the most biodiverse places in the world to find charismatic wildlife, such as lions and tigers. People also travel to admire the world’s majestic heritage sites to learn about past civilizations and enjoy modern culture, for example by experiencing archaeological sites and music festivals.
Several developing countries, including Colombia, are betting on tourism as the sector that brings the most opportunities for sustainable development, building upon its biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.
We are working with local governments and communities, characterizing and assessing options with a multidisciplinary team of academics and practitioners, and inspiring with a clear basis for planning and achieving a future that conserves, celebrates, and supports livelihoods and a tourism economy based on the richness of nature and culture. We are answering applied questions such as: where are the places with the highest potential for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing? Where are the places with the highest potential for cultural experiences of different sorts? Where and how do these opportunities coincide? Can we develop a metric for biocultural diversity that maps both culture and biodiversity?
Several developing countries, including Colombia, are betting on tourism as the sector that brings the most opportunities for sustainable development, building upon its biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.
We are working with local governments and communities, characterizing and assessing options with a multidisciplinary team of academics and practitioners, and inspiring with a clear basis for planning and achieving a future that conserves, celebrates, and supports livelihoods and a tourism economy based on the richness of nature and culture. We are answering applied questions such as: where are the places with the highest potential for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing? Where are the places with the highest potential for cultural experiences of different sorts? Where and how do these opportunities coincide? Can we develop a metric for biocultural diversity that maps both culture and biodiversity?
CONVEI- Collaborative Network for Valuing Earth Information
From a farmer deciding when to water their crops, to emergency response agencies sending resources after a natural disaster, NASA Earth observations help decision makers protect the planet and public health. Creating new ways to value and communicate these benefits is the goal of the new Collaborative Network for Valuing Earth Information (CONVEI).
The consortium includes NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and is led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The $8.5 million effort will bring together perspectives from across disciplines – especially outside of Earth science – to draw from the expertise of individuals like educators, economists, humanitarians, and psychologists. The intent is to put this information into the hands of individuals, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations alike.
Dr. Echeverri is a Co-PI on this grant. The role of the Echeverri Lab will be to lead work on the perception of Earth Science Information and its usefulness to decision makers in various decision contexts.
In the media:
NASA news
WWF news
CONVEI- Collaborative Network for Valuing Earth Information
From a farmer deciding when to water their crops, to emergency response agencies sending resources after a natural disaster, NASA Earth observations help decision makers protect the planet and public health. Creating new ways to value and communicate these benefits is the goal of the new Collaborative Network for Valuing Earth Information (CONVEI).
The consortium includes NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and is led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The $8.5 million effort will bring together perspectives from across disciplines – especially outside of Earth science – to draw from the expertise of individuals like educators, economists, humanitarians, and psychologists. The intent is to put this information into the hands of individuals, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations alike.
Dr. Echeverri is a Co-PI on this grant. The role of the Echeverri Lab will be to lead work on the perception of Earth Science Information and its usefulness to decision makers in various decision contexts.
In the media:
NASA news
WWF news
