2027 Dates
2 weeks – 04 July – 17 July
This two week expedition will be spent in the forests of the Wallacea region on Buton Island.
North Buton Forest biodiversity experience
The North Buton Nature Reserve (82,000 ha) is a vast area of lowland Wallacean rainforest. The region supports an array of different habitats that remain poorly surveyed by ecologists. Importantly, it is also a stronghold for the endangered Anoa; the worlds smallest wild cattle species. Volunteers will be taught jungle survival skills, ecological survey techniques and navigational skills. Our on-site lecture series also provides detailed information on Wallacean species and local conservation challenges. Volunteers will then assist our expert team in continuing to document the regions’ rich biodiversity. Particular attention will be given to records of endangered Sulawesi endemics, such as the Anoa and the two endemic hornbill species – all important conservation flagships for Buton. There remains a high likelihood that significant range extensions and new species records for Buton Island could be made given the impressive endemism and local diversity seen on Buton. Survey techniques include the use of camera traps, distance and patch occupancy estimates for large mammal species, mist netting for bats, Pollard counts for butterflies, pitfall trapping and night searches for herps and point counts for birds.
The Wallacea region within the Indonesian archipelago has been isolated from continental land masses for millennia. Deep ocean trenches have prevented land-bridge connections during periods of lowered sea levels. The resulting long periods of isolation have lead to the evolution of high levels of endemism across the Wallacea region such that today it is recognised as a global hotspot for biodiversity.
Throughout the tropical regions of the world, the clearing of rainforests for agriculture and illegal logging practices have led to the degradation of the most biodiverse regions on the Earth. The North Buton Nature Reserve is a critically important protected area for the conservation of biodiversity within the Wallacea region. Despite this, the reserve remains under constant threat from local farming communities seeking to convert rainforest into farmland as well as logging of trees within the reserve for high value commercial timber.
Operation Wallacea’s terrestrial research project in Indonesia seeks to understand the impact of human-induced disturbance upon highly unique and threatened rainforest communities found within the Wallacea region. Biodiversity surveys will be undertaken within primary forest habitats found deep within the North Buton Nature Reserve as well as disturbed forest sites located on the periphery of the reserve and on adjacent farmland. Such research provides important insight into understanding how different rainforest species are impacted by human activity, enabling the identification of endemic species most vulnerable to disturbance and as such a priority for conservation.
Most of our volunteers fundraise for their expedition costs. Find out more.
Climate
In the tropical rainforests of Indonesia is is generally warm during the day (around 25 degrees Celsius), and humid, with up to 80% humidity. At night the temperatures drop lower, but not usually lower than around 15 degrees Celsius. It rains very frequently, and very heavily at times, but for short periods.
The forest camp is accessed via a 45 minute hike over fairly flat terrain. This hike includes several river crossings, so walking sandals (e.g. TEVA) are recommended. The North Buton forest camp is set up with camp beds and mosquito nets inside large communal tents. There is a communal eating area and a forest lecture theatre. The camp has a basic field toilet and shower system, or bathing can be done in the nearby river (recommended!). A steep climb to the primary forest transects requires a high level of fitness at this camp. Conditions can get very muddy following heavy rainfall! Relaxing and socialising in the river that runs beside the camp is a great way to recover after a long, hard day of forest surveys. The camp has no reliable phone signal.
Fitness level required
High for the forest sites. You will need to hike for long periods, over steep and muddy terrain, at times with your large rucksack.
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