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The study's findings directly support Junglekeepers' conservation model, which focuses on protecting continuous river corridors rather than isolated forest patches. Since 2020, Junglekeepers has secured legal protection for over 117,000 acres along the Las Piedras River through conservation concessions and active ranger patrols.
Press Release
New Study Reveals Las Piedras River as Critical Biodiversity Corridor, Validates Junglekeepers Conservation Strategy
PERU, Madre de Dios, September 26th, 2025 — Junglekeepers is excited to share early findings from a comprehensive biodiversity study the organization commissioned and funded, which has revealed striking evidence that flowing river systems harbor dramatically higher vertebrate diversity than isolated wetland habitats, providing strong scientific validation for Junglekeepers' corridor-based conservation approach in the Amazon.
The research, conducted by Junglekeepers in collaboration with scientists from the University of Queensland and Oxford University, and local research partner Life Amazon, used cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to survey vertebrate communities across 23 sites in the Las Piedras region. While the study is in the final stages of data processing, these preliminary findings demonstrate the critical importance of protecting river corridor systems. The findings suggest that streams and rivers support higher species diversity than isolated palm swamps (aguajales), with flowing habitats representing approximately a 15-fold difference. Importantly, all comparisons between flowing water and isolated wetland habitats showed large statistical effect sizes and remained significant after rigorous scientific correction for multiple comparisons.
"This research confirms that we've been focusing our conservation efforts in true biodiversity hotspots" said Stephane Thomas, Director of Junglekeepers. "The Las Piedras River system supports exceptional species diversity and represents a critical corridor for wildlife movement in this region of the Amazon."
"One exciting aspect of this study is the number of species detected that have evaded other sampling methods, increasing the known species count and including some remarkably elusive species." shares Patrick Champagne, Collaborating Researcher.
The research, conducted by Junglekeepers in collaboration with scientists from the University of Queensland and Oxford University, and local research partner Life Amazon, used cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to survey vertebrate communities across 23 sites in the Las Piedras region. While the study is in the final stages of data processing, these preliminary findings demonstrate the critical importance of protecting river corridor systems. The findings suggest that streams and rivers support higher species diversity than isolated palm swamps (aguajales), with flowing habitats representing approximately a 15-fold difference. Importantly, all comparisons between flowing water and isolated wetland habitats showed large statistical effect sizes and remained significant after rigorous scientific correction for multiple comparisons.
"This research confirms that we've been focusing our conservation efforts in true biodiversity hotspots" said Stephane Thomas, Director of Junglekeepers. "The Las Piedras River system supports exceptional species diversity and represents a critical corridor for wildlife movement in this region of the Amazon."
"One exciting aspect of this study is the number of species detected that have evaded other sampling methods, increasing the known species count and including some remarkably elusive species." shares Patrick Champagne, Collaborating Researcher.
Key Research Findings:
- 270 vertebrate taxa detected across five taxonomic classes, with 80 identified to species level, including 35 species representing first records for the Las Piedras tributary
- Flowing water habitats showed significantly higher species richness, with large effect sizes (r > 0.67) remaining statistically significant across all diversity metrics
- • Critical connectivity research demonstrates that smaller stream systems serve as important habitats, potentially as vital as protecting extended stretches of major tributaries
- New species discoveries include 12 fish, 12 birds, and 11 mammals previously unrecorded in the watershed
The study's findings directly support Junglekeepers' conservation model, which focuses on protecting continuous river corridors rather than isolated forest patches. Since 2020, Junglekeepers has secured legal protection for over 117,000 acres along the Las Piedras River through conservation concessions and active ranger patrols.
Next Phase Research:
Building on these findings, the research team will expand the study to compare eDNA results with traditional monitoring methods like camera traps. This follow-up research will examine how terrestrial wildlife uses river corridors as movement pathways and investigate whether continuous waterway systems support higher terrestrial species diversity than fragmented ones. The expanded study aims to strengthen the scientific case for protecting connected river corridor systems as vital infrastructure for both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
Conservation Urgency
The research comes at a critical time for the Las Piedras region, which faces mounting pressure from illegal logging, road construction, and land trafficking. The study area includes territories used by the Mashco-Piro, Peru's largest isolated indigenous group, whose traditional stewardship has maintained these forests for generations.
"Every month of delay increases the risk of losing these irreplaceable ecosystems" warns Paul Rosolie, Founder of Junglekeepers. "This study proves scientifically what Indigenous communities have known for centuries – that protecting flowing water systems is essential for maintaining Amazon biodiversity."
Junglekeepers' Indigenous-led conservation approach combines direct land acquisition, community-based ranger patrols, and partnerships with local communities. The organization's rangers, many of whom are from local Indigenous communities, conduct regular patrols that have eliminated illegal logging within protected areas.
Expanding Protection
Building on these research findings, Junglekeepers is currently working to expand protection to an additional 50,000 acres of critical habitat along the Las Piedras corridor. This expansion would create an unbroken protected corridor of nearly 170,000 acres, securing vital migration routes and breeding grounds for jaguars, giant river otters, harpy eagles, and hundreds of other species.
While flowing water systems demonstrated higher biodiversity than palm swamps, both habitat types play important roles - with peatlands recognized as critical carbon storage systems. Protecting these diverse Amazonian ecosystems represents a vital nature-based climate solution.
"This research validates our approach and demonstrates the incredible return on investment that protecting Amazon river corridors provides" said Juan Julio Durand, Vice-President of Junglekeepers Peru and TIME100 Climate Leader. "When we protect these flowing water systems, we're safeguarding the future of the Amazon itself."
Research Publication
The complete study "Water You Hiding? Comparative Vertebrate Assemblages of Lotic versus Lentic Habitats in the Las Piedras Watershed, Peru" is currently in final preparation and will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Full research findings and data will be made available upon publication.
Media Contact
For media inquiry, visit our contact page.
High-resolution images, research data, and interview opportunities available upon request.
Building on these findings, the research team will expand the study to compare eDNA results with traditional monitoring methods like camera traps. This follow-up research will examine how terrestrial wildlife uses river corridors as movement pathways and investigate whether continuous waterway systems support higher terrestrial species diversity than fragmented ones. The expanded study aims to strengthen the scientific case for protecting connected river corridor systems as vital infrastructure for both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
Conservation Urgency
The research comes at a critical time for the Las Piedras region, which faces mounting pressure from illegal logging, road construction, and land trafficking. The study area includes territories used by the Mashco-Piro, Peru's largest isolated indigenous group, whose traditional stewardship has maintained these forests for generations.
"Every month of delay increases the risk of losing these irreplaceable ecosystems" warns Paul Rosolie, Founder of Junglekeepers. "This study proves scientifically what Indigenous communities have known for centuries – that protecting flowing water systems is essential for maintaining Amazon biodiversity."
Junglekeepers' Indigenous-led conservation approach combines direct land acquisition, community-based ranger patrols, and partnerships with local communities. The organization's rangers, many of whom are from local Indigenous communities, conduct regular patrols that have eliminated illegal logging within protected areas.
Expanding Protection
Building on these research findings, Junglekeepers is currently working to expand protection to an additional 50,000 acres of critical habitat along the Las Piedras corridor. This expansion would create an unbroken protected corridor of nearly 170,000 acres, securing vital migration routes and breeding grounds for jaguars, giant river otters, harpy eagles, and hundreds of other species.
While flowing water systems demonstrated higher biodiversity than palm swamps, both habitat types play important roles - with peatlands recognized as critical carbon storage systems. Protecting these diverse Amazonian ecosystems represents a vital nature-based climate solution.
"This research validates our approach and demonstrates the incredible return on investment that protecting Amazon river corridors provides" said Juan Julio Durand, Vice-President of Junglekeepers Peru and TIME100 Climate Leader. "When we protect these flowing water systems, we're safeguarding the future of the Amazon itself."
Research Publication
The complete study "Water You Hiding? Comparative Vertebrate Assemblages of Lotic versus Lentic Habitats in the Las Piedras Watershed, Peru" is currently in final preparation and will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Full research findings and data will be made available upon publication.
Media Contact
For media inquiry, visit our contact page.
High-resolution images, research data, and interview opportunities available upon request.