Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Top:mapoftheislandofNewGuineaandenvirons;bottom:locationsofWallace'sLine,the
Sunda Shelf, and the Sahul Shelf
Bruce's expedition to the Foja Mountains held out the promise of enabling us to assess the
accuracy of how rarity in relation to abundance is commonly portrayed in natural tropical
habitats—a few abundant species and lots of others represented by a few scattered individuals
or small groups. Perhaps absent humans, especially local hunters, a different pattern would
emerge from his team's observations in virtually undisturbed terrain.
Bruce's New Guinea team assembled in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, in early November.
On November 12 they flew from Java to Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province and the city
nearest to the Fojas. During the ensuing three days of cutting through red tape with provincial
bureaucrats, Bruce dealt with a new worry. Before arriving in Papua, he had been unaware
that helicopter service was so scarce; transport might not be available to lift the team in. To
come this far only to lose the sole mode of access to the summits would be a cruel blow.
As his colleagues grew restless, Bruce managed with great effort to secure a helicopter,
only to encounter another restriction. The permits limited the expedition to a rapid assess-
ment. The company could offer transport for only two specific days:
in
on November 22 and
then
out
on December 7. The team would have to work fast and under pressure.
In the first stage of the expedition, they flew by small plane to a foothills airstrip in the
Kwerba homeland. There they spent a week exploring the steep lower Fojas, collecting spe-
cimens, and planning the next leg. On November 21 they packed carefully and prepared for
