Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles

Public concern was sparked in Guayaquil after a video went viral showing a man carrying an American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on his shoulders, with its jaws and limbs bound. The incident opened a debate on the presence of this species in urban tidal branches such as the Estero Salado, as well as the appropriate way the public should respond to sightings.

FLS-ESPOL professor and researcher Julián Pérez demystified the perceived inherent aggression of these reptiles during everyday encounters across the city:

Neighborhood concerns near kilometer 8.5 of Vía a la Costa raised questions about whether the presence of these animals was driven by climate anomalies. In response to these inquiries, biologist and FLS-ESPOL research professor Julián Pérez clarified that these sightings are not necessarily tied to the onset of climatic events like El Niño, as the species has historically inhabited the tidal channels and mangrove branches of Guayaquil.

During the rainy and winter season, the presence of insects inside households tends to rise as pests seek shelter. In response, the repeated use of commercial insecticides can represent not only a continuous expense, but also a potential toxicity risk for young children and pets if handled improperly.

Biology students from the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) at ESPOL participated in the 9th Ecuadorian Ornithology Meeting (REO 2026), held from July 29 to August 2, 2026, in Cotacachi, Imbabura province. This gathering brought together students, researchers, professionals, birdwatchers, and representatives from various organizations dedicated to the study and conservation of Ecuadorian and Neotropical avifauna.

Guayaquil encompasses at least six protected forests and hills—including Cerro Blanco, Cerro Colorado, and Cerro Paraíso—that function as urban green lungs and natural barriers against unplanned urban sprawl.

During his remarks, Julián Pérez Correa, specialist at FLS-ESPOL, emphasized the biological richness concentrated within these ecosystems:

The coexistence of residential neighborhoods in northwestern Guayaquil and the Cerro Azul natural reserve represents one of the city's most emblematic ecological and landscape models. While local families defend the integrity of this ecosystem against extractive and urban encroachment pressures, the scientific community corroborates the forest tract's direct impact on residents' well-being.

Given the unusual temperatures that have affected various cities across the country, reaching peaks of up to 35.8 °C and heat indices close to 40 °C, Edwin Jiménez, Eng., a research professor at the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS), highlights the creation of community nurseries as a viable and sustainable alternative to balance climatic conditions.

A recent scientific study has revealed a silent threat to Guayaquil's biodiversity: the sale and use of exotic ornamental plants, specifically from the genus Thunbergia, which act as invasive species. Julián Pérez, a research professor at the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS), emphasizes the urgent need to regulate irresponsible landscaping that is "planting an ecological time bomb" in the region.

The Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) was filled with music and joy during the visit of the musical group "Sonidos del Sol." The event, which brought together faculty, staff, and students, was part of an institutional tour designed to strengthen cultural ties within the polytechnic community.

In a deep immersion into Ecuador's most enigmatic ecosystems, students from the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) at ESPOL conducted a comprehensive field trip to the Cueva de los Tayos and the Jumandy Caves. 

The expedition, which took place from January 8th to 11th, covered strategic locations in the provinces of Napo (Tena) and Pastaza (Puyo). The primary objective was to closely study the morphological and behavioral adaptations of native fauna inhabiting the extreme environments of Amazonian caverns.