The Subterranean Ecology Institute, Inc. (SEI) is working hard to play an active role in several research projects, both in a leadership role and as a partner with other individuals, non-profits, and governments. Here are our current projects:

Conservation and management of cave and karst ecosystems of Belize

SEI is leading an effort to study subterranean ecosystems in Belize. Through annual expeditions, we are working with the Belizean government and local ecotourism guides and organizations to enhance management practices, with new attention focused on subterranean ecosystems. Our 2011 Belize expedition has resulted in the discovery of several new species.

Working with guides and ecotourism organizations to better understand the importance of subterranean ecosystems, we hope to provide the local communties with useful information about relationships between land use practices and cave and groundwater resources. We are also working closely with cooperating government agencies, including the Belizean Institute of Archeology. As this knowledge is transferred to government agencies and local guides, opportunities exist to transfer knowledge about subterranean ecosystems and groundwater to the visiting eco-tourists.

Watch a slide show about our recent expedition - click on show, to the left of this text.

Final Report for 2011 Expediton is now available (10.52 MB).

If you have questions about our Belize project, or would like to provide a donation in support of it, just email us!

Conservation of subterranean ecosystems in Illinois, USA

We are providing assistance to a collaborative effort led by, The Clifftop Alliance, and also with involvement of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to enhance existing man-made subterranean habitat in a manner which invites use by federally listed bats and native cave invertebrates. Toward this effort, we are donating data loggers to monitor temperature and humidity. Knowledge gained through this work will be shared with the public through presentations, and will inform best management practices for similar habitats. Finally, this project allows us to begin to build relationships with other organizations, agencies, and individuals within the state of Illinois, where we are incorporated, and can help pave the way for future activities centered around enhancement of management and education of the public with regard to our fragile subterranean ecosystems.

Conservation of subterranean ecosystems in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Current studies of lava tubes are being carried out by the Department of Earth Sciences and Construction (DECTC) at the Escuela Politécnica del Ejército (ESPE) (Sangolquí, Ecuado) in collaboration with researchers at Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri). Using donations already received, we plan to provide minor financial support for fieldwork costs. Though details remain to be worked out, this work will include new bioninventories of little-studied lava tube systems. Knowledge gained pertaining to subterranean ecosystems will help the government of Ecuador better manage these fragile and globally significant resources. Further, these data will provide information useful both by Ecuadorian government, NGOs (such as The Charles Darwin Foundation), and local entrepreneurs, by providing images and information about ecosystems which can be passed on to visiting tourists to enhance their experience and, hopefully, increase the likelihood that some will bring new insights back to their home countries.