For the last 6 months I have been working on my second MSc. internship project in which I study the seed dispersal connectivity between Raphia taedigera patches (Yolillales) in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, a nice case of a mutualistic interaction between the Central American Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and the Yolillo palm (Raphia taedigera) ( If you are interested, please check the projects section). As the title of this post suggests, deforestation turns out to be one of the main pressures which reduces and creates bottlenecks in the surrounding tapir habitat, therefore having implications for the adequate connectivity and gene flow between Raphia patches. With the help of the Google Earth Engine Timelapse tool I have created a tour to visualize with satellite imagery spanning from 1984 to 2016 how deforestation have been exerting pressures on the landscape that surrounds Raphia taedigera populations in the Atlantic Coast of both countries. Although forest clearances have been undergone in both countries, the timelapse lets you differentiate at first glance the difference between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in terms of forest loss. Because its monodominant growth form Raphia patches are distinguishable in satellite imagery for having a light and smooth green reflection at true RGB. color and they are near rivers and close to the sea. Feel free to further explore the tour by following this link!