The Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS) was established in the upper reaches of the Amazon Basin in Ecuador by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in collaboration with Boston University. The station includes 638 hectares (about 1500 acres) of primary lowland rainforest approximately 300km (200 mi) east of Quito. TBS is situated on the bank of the Tiputini River, a southern tributary of the Napo River within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve.
Primary activities at TBS focus on research and education. Located within the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspot and one of the planet’s last wilderness areas. The main goal of the TBS is to improve understanding of complex ecosystems so that appropriate and effective conservation strategies may be implemented.
World Water Watch as well as Researchers from all over the world have carried out their studies at TBS in order to advance science in general. In a more specific way, our resulting greater understanding of the functioning of rainforest should provide the basis for sustainable management into the future. In addition, The biodiversity rich Yasuni National Park (approximately the size of Connecticut) is adjacent to TBS. Station staff are ever vigilant of human activities in the region that may represent threats to this precious international resource.
TBS is also located near the indigenous Huaorani Reserve. The Huaorani have shown aggressive behavior toward the oil companies that have tried to drill in their lands since the 1950s. Today some Huaorani can be found in villages along the side of the roads established by oil companies, but others still live deep in the rainforest.
Since the Tiputini Biodiversity Station (TBS) opened in 1994, World Water Watch researchers have benefited from the resources, data and collaboration with Station staff and other visiting scientists. The Tipuitni River is a tributary of the Napo River which has been an important source of data and programs for World Water Watch.
In particular, the collaboration and support of Dr. Kelly Swing (TBS Director) and Dr. Tom Kunz (Boston University Director) has been greatly appreciated over these many years.