Madang (Papua New Guinea)
International Biodiversity Expedition Papua New Guinea 2012
The FIELDS-project has been notably inspired by the ethnographic research results of a two-month field trip to Madang, PNG. The MNHN-lab observed has developed the program “Tropical deep sea benthos” since 2006, combined with a long-term field campaign called “Our planet reviewed. Taking a closer look at biodiversity hotpots.” Expeditions have been realized in Vallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, Fiji, Mozambique, Espiritu Santo, Madagascar and PNG. These venues have gained considerable scientific output and public attention, supported by media, French school classes, and the receiving institutions, NGOs and civil societies. The taxonomists observed were, firstly, motivated by gaining a scientifically valuable, high number of undiscovered marine habitat and taxa; secondly, by practicing the department’s integrative methodological approach based on the explored marine habitats/fields, and, thirdly, by testing and practicing heterogeneous cooperations with their social-material environments. “Doing biodiversity” (Bogusz 2018) through the PNG expedition had to rely, albeit not exclusively but heavily, on experiential-based fieldwork, enabling scientists and civil society to collaborate on an equal footing. Hence, the oceanic and river habitats became material enactments of a complex ontology of the field, were the assessment of marine data was circumstanced by the challenges of heterogeneous cooperation.
Photo: MNHN Paris
First sortings
Photo: Tanja Bogusz
Banner promoting the biodiversity expedition
Photo: Tanja Bogusz
The research vessel
Photo: Tanja Bogusz
Sociological fieldnotes
Botanic Artist Mali Moir has accompanied the expedition:
