The team is planning to explore several types of ecosystems at various altitudes. These environments include the forests (from litter to canopy), the lapiez, the lake and marsh shores, and more isolated environments such as the endhoreic valleys or other altitude areas.

The regions targeted are :

1. the surroundings of the Nusa Ulan village, from the coastal area to the summits of the mountains,
2. the surroundings of the Wanoma village and slopes of the Seraran anticline,
3. the slope of the Berari anticline along Lake Sewiki,
4. the surroundings of the Lobo village to the summit of the Lamansiere range,
5. the forest surroundings of Cape Tanjung Boi,
6. the underground networks of the River Mbuta.

The team will mainly focus on the groups of orchids, palm trees, ginger, magnolias and other angiosperm, conifers, bryophytes, pteridophytes. It will also focus on the vast variety of fungi. The canopy will be explored in cooperation with the herpetologists.

All samples collected will be kept in herbaria. The DNA samples will be collected directly on site, following appropriate protocols. Live orchids and other ornament flower plants will be brought back to the botanical garden to be cared for until the next blossom, hence allowing to supplement the species descriptions.

There will be three of each herbarium in order to supply various prestigious international collections.

Orchids
© Christophe Thébaud

Team composition