Field Coordinator
Aracely Meza is a passionate biologist trained at Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, who joined Wired Amazon in 2023 as a field researcher at Refugio Amazonas. Her career is marked by a deep interest in understanding the processes shaping Amazonian ecosystems, with a particular focus on the population and spatial ecology of mammals. Her work centers on exploring how Amazonian ecosystems evolve over time and respond to human activities. For Aracely, fieldwork is more than observation; it means experiencing firsthand the natural dynamics of the rainforest and connecting with the harmonious relationship that ancestral cultures have maintained with the Amazonian environment. Wired Amazon has given her the opportunity to collect real-time data and work on projects such as AmazonCam, where camera traps document wildlife, generating crucial information for conservation. She has also been involved in Aerobotany, an innovative project using drones to study the forest canopy, specifically the development of Brazil nut trees, and in Discovering New Species, which focuses on collecting, studying, and discovering new moth species, expanding knowledge of Amazonian biodiversity. One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is inspiring others to value Amazonian biodiversity, especially by working with local communities and visitors. Through hands-on experiences, she has witnessed how citizen science can transform fear and misinformation into curiosity and commitment to conservation. For her, field education is a powerful opportunity to change perceptions and promote respect for all forms of life. Aracely sees the Amazon not only as a habitat but as a crucial pillar for global ecological balance. The rainforest not only regulates the water cycle and captures large amounts of carbon but also serves as a biodiversity reservoir, providing resources and solutions for future generations. Her work with Wired Amazon is, at its core, a contribution to protecting an ecosystem that humanity could lose in a few decades if action is not taken. Among the vast biodiversity she studies, the giant river otter holds a special place for her; its social behavior and significance in aquatic ecosystems make it a key species for understanding and conserving the balance of the Amazon.
