The Indonesian Botanical Exploration and Taxonomy Project (IBETP)

This 5-year program of botanical exploration, floristic inventory and taxonomy of Indonesia’s tropical forests is organized in cooperation with Indonesia’s  Herbarium Bogoriense and the Department of Botany, U.S. National Herbarium, Smithsonian Institution. It began in 2008.

The core objective is biodiversity conservation as executed from a capacity building perspective. Indonesian scientists are responsible for exploration, specimen analysis and publication of results. Indonesian students are being trained and supported in masters level study. This institutional development of the Bogor Herbarium and concomitant development of trained scientists will pave the way for and expand Indonesia’s capacity to understand and conserve its forest resources.

Scott Hoover, NETC Director of Research, is project leader. Dr. Harry Wiriadinata, Senior Botanist, Bogor Herbarium, is Project Manager. They lead international teams of botanists to explore the montane forests of the island of Sulawesi, a large island of much biological and evolutionary interest. They also oversee exploration, collection and taxonomic analysis of specimens (identification, classification and naming of new species). This basic exploration and taxonomy work will make available critical knowledge for further research and for conservation. Scott Hoover anticipates the discovery of a considerable number of new plant species.

The IBETP also provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain advanced degrees and field training.  In its first, pilot year (2008), four Indonesian students are supported in M.S. programs.  Two students from Sulawesi’s Haludeo University gained field training through participation in the exploration.