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Science & research

Building conservation with data

Understanding the forests we protect

Old-growth forests are complex, living ecosystems, and there's still much to learn about them. Our research helps us document biodiversity, understand how these ecosystems function, and track changes over time. We work with universities, research organizations, and conservation partners across Canada and Peru to build the knowledge needed for effective, long-term conservation.

Counting on research

214

species in Canada

Species documented so far through sightings and eDNA in our protected areas

731

species in Peru

Vertebrate species documented in our protected areas

1500+

volunteers

Volunteers who have contributed to research and conducted their own projects

Measuring biodiversity over time

Our biologists and research partners continuously document the biodiversity of our protected areas. In the Secret Forest in Peru, for example, we have recorded hundreds of bird, mammal, amphibian, and reptile species. By continuing to monitor these ecosystems over time, we can build a clearer picture of how biodiversity changes and what those changes mean for conservation.
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How we conduct research

  1. Assess the area

    We start with a rapid assessment: focused fieldwork that gives us a quick picture of an area’s biodiversity and conservation value. This helps us identify places that need closer study.

  2. Build a baseline

    We conduct a detailed survey of the species and biodiversity in an area. This gives us a starting point for understanding the ecosystem and tracking how it changes over time.

  3. Monitor the area over time

    We return to the same areas regularly to observe changes in biodiversity, wildlife, and ecosystem health. This helps us see how forests and other ecosystems change over a period of time.

  4. Study specific topics

    Once we know more about an ecosystem, we can investigate specific topics in greater depth. This might include studying carbon storage, animal movements, or potential threats to the ecosystem.

What we study & monitor


Birds Man in yellow shirt wearing headlamp holds small frog in his hand in lush green forest

Birds opens in a new tab

Birds are an important part of rainforest ecosystems, and they can tell us a lot about the health of the forest. Our researchers observe and carefully record birds in the field to understand which species are present, how their populations change over time, and what their presence can tell us about the ecosystems they depend on.
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Our research projects

  • eDNA pilot project opens in a new tab

    Our eDNA research project with ETH Zurich, supported by the Audi Environmental Foundation and DJI, launched in March 2024. The pilot uses environmental DNA to monitor biodiversity in hard-to-reach places, from the treetops of tropical rainforests to coastal tide pools. On Porcher Island in Canada, the project has already revealed a wealth of species that can easily go undetected.
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  • Bog research in the Misty Forest opens in a new tab

    In July 2025, scientists from the Greifswald Mire Centre joined us in our Canadian protected areas to explore the region’s little-studied coastal peatlands. For the first time, they measured peat depth and carbon storage, revealing just how much carbon these ecosystems can hold.
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  • Reddish-brown monkey with black face climbing among green foliage in a forest canopy.

    Biodiversity of the tree tops

    By placing cameras high in the treetops of the Secret Forest, we capture critical data from the forest canopy. Because many mammals spend much of their time far above the ground, these canopy cameras provide rare insights into treetop biodiversity, helping reveal an incredible, largely unexplored layer of the rainforest ecosystem.

  • Partnership with iBOL opens in a new tab

    The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project is building a global genetic barcode database to identify species, including those difficult to distinguish through traditional methods. Since 2025, we've contributed insect samples from our protected areas. Genetic analysis documents forest biodiversity and adds to iBOL’s global dataset.
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Research Partners: Fauna Forever

Since 2019, we have partnered with Fauna Forever, a Peruvian research and conservation organization whose research station is next to our protected areas along the Tambopata River. Their long-term presence gives us valuable research and field knowledge about the ecosystems we protect.

Fauna Forever conducts biodiversity monitoring and ecological research, while our teams support their work with resources such as drone imagery, LiDAR and multispectral data. Their station also serves as a base for our Forest Guardian program, supporting regular monitoring of our protected areas.

Wilderness International protects the land; Fauna Forever helps us understand the ecosystems within it. Together, we combine research, local knowledge, and long-term presence to strengthen conservation.

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Two researchers examine specimens at an outdoor table surrounded by lush green foliage and equipment

Research Partners: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Our partnership with the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) and its Pacific Marine Science Alliance network connects our conservation work with researchers and universities across Canada. Together, we create opportunities for collaborative field research and hands-on training for students and early-career scientists.

On Porcher Island, researchers and students have joined our teams in the field to study the ecosystems we protect, including their forests, wetlands, and coastal waters. These collaborations help deepen our understanding of the places we protect while giving the next generation of environmental scientists practical experience in conservation research.

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Two people in bright jackets crouch on a pebbly riverbank, examining stones, with forested mountains visible across the water.

Research scholarships

We offer research scholarships to Peruvian students and early-career professionals in fields such as biology, botany and environmental science. Recipients gain hands-on rainforest research experience alongside our researchers, helping build local research capacity and support the next generation of conservation researchers.
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Our research and project partners in Peru and Canada

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      Marie Schreiber

      Marie Schreiber

      Head of Science
      marie.schreiber@wilderness-international.org
      Are you a scientist or researcher working in biodiversity, nature conservation or climate research? Do you need access, infrastructure or local partners for your research? Get in touch with our Head of Science, Marie.

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