New Guinea is highly biodiverse and provides a great opportunity for Taxonomists.  Dillane Nason discovered 14 new frog species during work for her honours degree.  Ecoconnections would like to fund a project to support Dillian's work.  Dillian will be encouraged to develop a network of local QuestaGame players to further her survey work of amphibians.  Where funds allow the taxonomic effort will be expanded beyond amphibians.

Dillian's research points to a race against time from threats of disease.  This podcast also notes the race against time from palm oil projects and the challenges of environmental impact assessment without clear taxonomy.

Digital object identifier for published work.

Recent work published in 'Nature' on extraordinary plant biodiversity on the Island of New Guinea, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2549-5

An interview with active taxonomist and spider enthusiast, Robert Whyte.  The podcast is an encouragement for nature observers, farmers and QuestaGame players. It is also an invitation to begin a journey of writing well and making a contribution to knowledge.

Roberts talents in stunning photography and clear presentation are also amply demonstrated in a Field Guide to Spiders of Australia (Robert Whyte and Greg Anderson). This is the most comprehensive guide to Australian spiders ever published. From Alien Butt Spiders to disco balls, it is a book that will cure your arachnophobia and help you identify and appreciate these amazingly diverse animals.

Other resources for this podcast 

The creek in our backyard, a practical guide for landholders.

Australasian Arachnological Society

This is an ecoconnections podcast where we explore taxonomy of biology, our relationship with nature and how this is funded. To ecoconnect someone to their very own species visit ecoconnect.me

Robert and I discussed a collaboration with QuestaGame to better understand spiders in agricultural ecosystems.  Grower groups interested in working with us can click for more information about predators for productivity.

Stephen Hopper discusses a career in Taxonomy - Inspiration for people considering this career. Discusses the dynamics of one man's career.  With reference to our relationships with other creatures.

From 2006 to 2012 Stephen Hopper AC FLS FTSE as Director of Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew in London, led this powerhouse organisation of plant biology through it's 250th year.  He is now Winthrop Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Western Australia, based in Albany at UWA's Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management. In 2012.  He was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour of Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for "eminent service as a global science leader in the field of plant conservation biology, particularly in the delivery of world class research programs contributing to the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems."  He has six totems allocated by Noongar elders: Black snake, Kangaroo Paw, Eucalyptus caesia, Karak (Forest Redtail Balck Cockatoo), Honey Eaters (pollinators of Kangaroo Paw) and Honey Possum's (the tight squeezer).

Short takeouts:  Be a field biologist.  Two approaches to Plant Taxonomy; Hooker - herbarium specimens vs Darwin - reproductively distinct. Amateur contributions are important, helpful if they align with an institution like a museum or University.  An academic career also involves developing scientific writing discipline.

ecoconnect.me implications: An ecoconnection could spark an interest in field biology.  It could be a device for a parent or mentor to encourage this interest.  QuestaGame provides a game and a tool to empower field observations, contributing these observations to the scientific record.

Stephen Hopper discusses his experience with totems he has been allocated by the Noongar people.

From 2006 to 2012 Stephen Hopper AC FLS FTSE as Director of Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew in London, led this powerhouse organisation of plant biology through it's 250th year.  He is now Winthrop Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Western Australia, based in Albany at UWA's Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management. In 2012.  He was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour of Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for "eminent service as a global science leader in the field of plant conservation biology, particularly in the delivery of world class research programs contributing to the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems."  He has six totems allocated by Noongar elders: Black snake, Kangaroo Paw, Eucalyptus caesia, Karak (Forest Redtail Balck Cockatoo), Honey Eaters (pollinators of Kangaroo Paw) and Honey Possum's (the tight squeezer).

Short takeouts: Totems are a powerful idea.  The Noongar word for totem is 'borrungur'.  There is a sense of commitment and 'becoming' your totem.  Look for an opportunity for a respectful conversation with an indigenous elder about the role of totems in their culture. This might lead to asking an indigenous elder to assign a totem.  There is a sense of understanding the biology and looking after a totem.

ecoconnect.me implications: Stephen is not aboriginal himself.  Stephen's engagement with totems is a bridge between an ancient system of connecting with biology and the top ranks of biological science.  The ecoconnected relationship is randomly allocated so not related to a person's character.  In terms of connecting to country, the country is 'planet earth' with a particular habitat unlikely to be local.  Totems are likely to be iconic species.  Ecoconnections aim to connect all species, building consciousness beyond the iconic species. 

Interview with Andrew Robinson Ecoconnections partner and founder of QuestaGame

QuestaGame brings the power of gaming engagement to citizen science and biological mapping.  The app and game, based in collective intelligence technology, puts a team of taxonomists in your pocket and maks it fun.  Get the inside story on QuestaGame from founder and managing director Andrew Robinson .  

Ecoconnections (50 minutes) introductory audio

To ecoconnect a visit ecoconnect.me

In this episode Ecoconnections Founder Duncan Farquhar interviews himself answering: