Projects That Never Happened: Ecological Insights from Darien, Panama

Abstract

Ecological research often reveals new issues so that the discovery process continues to benefit from additional data and perspectives. Early results are essential in communicating what else is needed for a more complete understanding and can form the basis for long-term analyses. If development projects lack sufficient ecological understanding, the economic and environmental costs are often higher than the expected benefits. We can learn a great deal from analysis of large projects that were not completed, such as two large projects proposed for Darien, Panama more than 50 years ago. These examples illustrate that success in obtaining the necessary ecological data to evaluate large-scale environmental impacts requires both thorough and rapid responses. In the 1960s ecologists made a strong case that demonstrated some projects were not feasible. My early experience in Panama as a field assistant and undergraduate researcher in the 1960s provided some lessons that I use in my research and teaching today.