Mentor Name:  Héctor Guzmán

The project titled  "Acoustic Monitoring in the San San Pond Sak Wetland: Impact of Boat Noise on Manatees and Analysis of Climatic Variables"  focuses on using a network of mini underwater hydrophones to complement the existing acoustic monitoring network for manatees, which has been in place since 2015. The goal is to assess the impact of noise on the area's manatee population.

The study will evaluate the potential impact generated by boat traffic along a network of approximately 20 kilometers of channels within the  San San Pond Sak protected area  (Changuinola, Bocas del Toro), a wetland of high ecological importance in Panama and internationally recognized as a  RAMSAR site. These channels are home to the largest manatee population in Panama and are primarily used for tourism and local transportation, representing a significant source of acoustic and physical disturbance that could affect the communication and behavior of manatees, an endangered species.

Additionally, the study will integrate environmental and climatic variables such as  pH, temperature, and turbidity to analyze how these factors interact with the soundscape and the wetland’s ecology. Using the collected data, the project aims to identify critical areas of acoustic impact, establish seasonal traffic patterns, and propose management and mitigation strategies  that promote a balance between human activities and the conservation of this protected ecosystem.