Operation Wallacea

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Operation Wallacea is an international NGO that operates volunteer-led scientific conservation expeditions to several countries around the world. Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions to assist university academics in both research and conservation programs in partnership with local communities and NGO's.

Currently Operation Wallacea (also abbreviated to OpWall or Opwall) is working within 5 different countries world wide; Cuba, Egypt, Honduras, Indonesia and South Africa. Opwall receives funding from both charitable donations and volunteers paying to join expeditions. This facilitates the setup of research and conservation projects that are "self-funded" and do not heavily rely upon outside funding that may be unavailable or difficult to attain. Many projects focus on working with the local communities to setup alternative and sustainable sources of income to those that maybe impacting heavily upon the local environment. For example, the promotion of Ecotourism and Fair trade crops as a lucrative alternative to illegal logging or hunting within protected areas or reserves.

Depending on the country, Opwall normally operates both marine and terrestrially based research expeditions, with a variety of research themes, whether they be biological, geological, geographic or social science projects.

[edit] History

Operation Wallacea first started operating expeditions to South East Sulawesi, Indonesia in 1995. This region is known as the Wallacea region, after the work of Alfred Russel Wallace and the creation of Wallace's line. It is from this scientifically important area that Operation Wallacea took its name.

This region was specifically chosen for three reasons:

a) It's incredible biodiversity and scientific importance

b) Increasing pressure and anthropogenic impact on important habitats

c) Lack of conservation and research effort in this region

Much of Opwall's early work was concentrated in the Wakatobi archipelago, conducting volunteer led rapid assessments of large areas. This baseline data allowed the identification of key areas in need of urgent protection. This work resulted in the establishment of the Wakatobi Marine National Park in 1996, the second largest marine park in Indonesia, and protection of the Lambusango rainforests on the island of Buton.

Much of this early work concentrated on establishing research bases on both the rainforest and marine sites, and providing partner Indonesian NGO's with much needed data for the development of legislation and continued management of protected areas.

In 2003 Operation Wallacea's success in Indonesia attracted the attention of NGO's in Honduras. The result was the creation of new research sites in both the cloud forests of mainland Honduras and the coral reef clad islands of los Cayos Cochinos.

2004 saw the start of expeditions to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and 2006 will be the first year of expeditions to South Africa and Cuba.

Operation Wallacea provides opportunities for groups of young students worldwide to take part in their activities.

[edit] Research Sites

The following is a brief summary of the different countries and sites that Operation Wallacea is currently sending expeditions to.

Sulawesi, Indonesia:

Est 1995.

Partner Organisations: LIPI, WNP, GEF, IIS, TNKW, WDI, LFCP.

Terrestrial Sites: Lambusango rain forest and Labundo Bundo Township, Buton

Marine Sites: Pula Hoga and Kaledupa of the Wakatobi archipelago

Main threats: Illegal logging, illegal hunting, mining, destructive fishing techniques, over-fishing.

Responses: Alternative sources of income, Ranger bonuses, education, zonation schemes, stakeholder zones, mariculture.

Honduras:

Est 2003.

Partner Organisations: AFE-COHDEFOR, HCRF, BICA.

Terrestrial Sites: Paraiso Valley and Cusuco National Park

Marine Sites: Cayos Cochinos (2003) and Utila (2006)

Main threats: Illegal logging, illegal hunting, previous Hurricane damage, excess runoff and high nutrient levels, poaching.

Responses: Alternative sources of income, education, zonation schemes, Fair trade crop schemes, long-term monitoring.

Sinai, Egypt:

Est 2004.

Partner Organisations: UNDP, British Council, EEAA.

Terrestrial Sites: St Katherine's Protectorate

Marine Sites: Ras Mohammad National Park

Main threats: Hunting, increased water abstraction, unregulated tourism.

Responses: Alternative sources of income, education, long-term monitoring, development of new monitoring techniques.

Cuba:

Est 2006.

Partner Organisations: University of Havana

Terrestrial Sites: Guanahacabibes Biosphere Reserve

Marine Sites: Various sites around Cuba aboard the University of Havana's Marine Research Vessel

Main threats: Previous Hurricane damage, over fishing, poaching

Responses: Alternative sources of income, education, long-term monitoring, development of new monitoring techniques.

South Africa:

Est 2006.

Partner Organisations: Wildlands Conservation Trust, GSLWP authority, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

Terrestrial Sites: uMkhuze, Greater St. Lucia Wetland Reserve

Marine Sites: Sodwana Bay, Greater St. Lucia Wetland Reserve

Main threats: Previous problems with poaching, habitat degradation and unknown species diversity or extinction risks

Responses: Base line studies and development of long-term monitoring for park management.

[edit] External links

• Operation Wallacea
• HCRF
• LIPI
• AFE-COHEDEFOR
• BICA
• EEAA
• South African Wetlands Conservation Program
• UNDP
• GEF