Abstract From Young Scientist : Parataxonomists’ role in documenting biological information: a case study of the New Guinea Binatang Research Center

Parataxonomists’ role in documenting biological information: a case study of the New Guinea Binatang Research Center in Madang, Papua New Guinea.

By Elvis Tamtiai
New Guinea Binatang Research Center, PO Box 604, Madang, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Email: bintangi@datec.net.pg

New Guinea contains the third biggest remaining area of untouched tropical forest. The island has been recognised as one of the world’s three high biodiversity wilderness areas.

Biodiversity surveys are crucial at this moment with an increasing human activity which becomes a continuous threat to New Guinea’s high biodiversity. Earlier biological studies have shown New Guinea has remarkably high level of endemism. For example, of the 17 000 species of plants, (>10 200 are endemic), mammals 233 species (146 endemic) and birds 650 species, (334 endemic).With its high biodiversity which is in need of conservation, the island has a huge potential for long term biological study. New Guinea Binatang (=insect) Center (BRC) is a non governmental organisation devoted to fill this gap by conducting biodiversity research, conservation, environmental education, training of parataxonomists and post graduate students.

Over 10 years of research activities and support from overseas researchers, the BRC has conducted biodiversity surveys of insects, (moths and butterflies), contributes to building national insect collections by sending specimens to the National Agriculture Research Institute in Port Moresby. The BRC supports University of Papua New Guinea post graduates students to conduct biological research. Parataxonomists are trained in general science, survey and collecting methods, preparation of specimens, microscopy, digital photography, computing, and field logistics, published results in international journals. Parataxonomists deliver talk at conference and produce educational materials.

BRC long term scientific study in Wanang WMA provides local employment opportunity and a source of ownership to their forest. Parataxonomists effective in biodiversity has established strong collaboration with local and overseas research institutions, NGOs and grassroots village groups.