Technology has become a valuable ally
At Fundación EcoBahía, we incorporate innovative tools that enable us to better understand the condition of ecosystems and the species that inhabit them while minimizing the impact of our research activities.
One of these advancements is the use of drones to monitor manatees in the reefs of El Portillo, a coastal area of high ecological value that serves as both a habitat and a feeding ground for this iconic Caribbean species.
The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is classified as a vulnerable species due to threats such as habitat loss, vessel collisions, pollution, and increasing human activity in coastal areas. Protecting these marine mammals requires a thorough understanding of their behavior, movement patterns, and the habitats they use most frequently.
Continuous monitoring provides essential information for developing more effective conservation strategies and promoting sustainable coexistence between local communities, economic activities, and wildlife.
The use of drones offers a safe, efficient, and non-invasive approach to studying manatees. High-resolution aerial imagery allows researchers to detect individual animals, observe their behavior, and document the condition of the habitats they occupy without the need to approach them by boat, thereby minimizing disturbance.
In addition, this technology provides access to shallow or difficult-to-navigate areas, making it possible to conduct systematic surveys and collect accurate data on manatee presence as well as the condition of associated coral reefs and seagrass beds.
The information gathered through these monitoring efforts strengthens Fundación EcoBahía’s research and conservation programs. The data collected help identify priority areas for protection, assess potential threats, and support evidence-based decision-making.
These efforts also generate valuable scientific information that contributes to collaborative initiatives involving research institutions, conservation organizations, and environmental authorities committed to protecting the marine ecosystems of the Dominican Republic.
The reefs of El Portillo support an extraordinary diversity of marine life and play a vital role in maintaining the health of coastal ecosystems. Protecting species such as the Antillean manatee also means safeguarding the habitats that sustain numerous fish, invertebrates, and marine plant species.
At Fundación EcoBahía, we believe that innovation, science, and collaboration are essential to building a more sustainable future. Drone-based monitoring demonstrates how technology can serve nature by improving our understanding of marine ecosystems and strengthening conservation actions that benefit both biodiversity and the communities that depend on it.
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