Re: Could I interview a taxonomist who visits rainforest for their work?

Thank you for your thoughtful questions. I am an ecologist rather than a taxonomist, but I work in the rainforest and I collaborate with a number of taxonomists. I'll do my best to answer your questions. I apologize for the delay in my response: my computer was stolen and I've been working double time to try to recover the data I lost.

Taxonomists belong to a larger branch of the biological sciences known as systematics . The goal of systematics is to understand the amazing diversity of life – how are various groups of species related? How did they evolve? Taxonomists are a vital part of this effort. Their work is to describe newly discovered species of living (and fossil) organisms. Despite centuries of work, only a small fraction of the species on earth are known to science! Today, when so much of the earth's biodiversity is threatened , taxonomy is more important than ever.

Here are some more specific responses to your questions:

1.What are the main purposes of your visit to a rain forest?

Taxonomists usually visit the rainforest in search of undiscovered species. Tropical rainforests are one of the most diverse habitats on earth. For instance, let's take a look at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica, where I work. In this patch of forest, smaller than Manhattan, there are more than 400 species of birds, over 1,800 species of plants and nearly 8,000 species of arthropods . Biological research has been conducted here full-time since 1968, but new species are being discovered all the time. Just last week I was in a friend's office, looking at the only specimen ever collected of a new species in the genus Palicourea. She's planning to name it after her grandfather.

Generally, a taxonomist will specialize on a particular group of related species. Finding new members of that group can help clarify the relationships between the species. Because rainforests are so diverse – and because they can be difficult places to work, and are often less thoroughly explored than other parts of the globe – rainforests are a great place to find undiscovered species.

As an ecologist, I come to the rainforest to study the complex pattern of interactions among living things, rather than the pattern of their evolutionary relationships. But the lure of discovery, the thrill of potentially finding species unknown to science, is part of what makes my work here so rewarding.

2.How do you think about your trips to the rainforests?

I'm very grateful to get the chance to work in such a beautiful place. I realize that very few people on earth have the chance to visit a rainforest, let alone spend six months living and working in this amazing ecosystem, as I'm doing right now. At the same time, there are a number of challenges that make my work stressful and potentially dangerous (see #3, below). Also, I'm acutely aware of the factors that threaten the survival of the rainforest: human population growth, climate change, and a host of other problems. I hope that my work will help contribute to the sustainable use of rainforests, so that my grandchildren will still be able to see them.

3.What are the difficulties you might and you have faced there?

There are many factors that make it difficult and dangerous to work in the rainforest. In some tropical countries, the political situation makes it hard for foreigners to work there. Fortunately, Costa Rica is a very stable country with an excellent system of parks and science- oriented biological reserves. The rainforest is still a dangerous place, though. There are many parasites, ranging from merely gross and annoying to deadly. In addition, I am constantly on the lookout for venomous snakes. Though only about 4% of snake bites in Central and South America are fatal (and a slightly higher percentage for children), I've seen some gruesome, disfiguring injuries from snake bites. There are also a number of biting and stinging insects, including the famous bala ant . I've never been stung by one, thankfully, but I've been right next to people in the field when they were stung. It sounds pretty painful. I was stung by a scorpion a few years ago, which was not an experience I'd care to repeat!

4.What are the basic qualities of a taxonomist that helps them on their trip?

Dr. Mark McKone, the scientist who inspired me to become a tropical ecologist, once told me that the two essential qualities for a good scientist are persistence and judgment. You have to have dedication to continue with your work despite obstacles, but you also need enough common sense to realize when something's not going to work and you need to find a new approach. I think this is good advice for many areas of life, not just science.

Most taxonomists have very good memories and strong attention to detail. They have to be able to remember hundreds of species, and the fine characteristics that distinguish them. Of course, I also know some taxonomists who can never remember where they left their car keys! Another quality which all taxonomists share is devotion to their study organisms. Invariably, a taxonomist will go to great lengths to defend the beauty, value, and coolness of his or her study organisms - - whether they're nearly-microscopic plants , shark tapeworms , or cave-dwelling fishes .

For traveling in tropical countries, the two essential qualities that everyone needs are patience and a sense of humor.

5.What do I have to study to become a taxonomist?

As a taxonomist, you will need to have a good background in general biology, and a very thorough understanding of the group that you choose to work on. Many taxonomists don't even choose a group to specialize on until they are in graduate school, though. I think it is important to get a very broad education when you are young, so that when it comes time to specialize you will have a wide range of options to choose from.

6.What are the subjects that you study in the school that become useful in this career other than biology?

For me, one of the most useful subjects I studied in school was Spanish. Knowing the local language has made it much easier for me to travel in Latin America, make contacts with local scientists, obtain permits, get help in the field, etc., etc. For anyone who wants to be a taxonomist, I highly recommend studying a language that is spoken in tropical countries: Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Indonesian . English is also very useful, because it is the language of the major scientific journals and societies. In botany, each published species must have a brief description in Latin. Many taxonomists hire translators for this. If you have the opportunity to learn Latin, though, it is a helpful skill. It can also make it easier to learn other Romance languages.

Most graduate schools programs in systematics require a biology degree, and most colleges that offer biology will also require you to take courses in chemistry, math (especially statistics and calculus), and physics. These subjects are a valuable background, though you might not use them directly in your work. Some taxonomists study illustration, so that when they publish descriptions of a new species they can also draw it and emphasize the diagnostic features. As with the Latin descriptions, though, many taxonomists hire other specialists to do illustrations.

7.Are there any physical quality that you might recommend a taxonomist to have?

Taxonomists come in all shapes and sizes. Edward O. Wilson, one of the world's best ant taxonomists, is very nearsighted and nearly blind in one eye, as he describes in his autobiography. Most of the taxonomists I work with are in pretty good shape, since they go out into the field and collect specimens in some very rough sites. But many taxonomists also work in museums or herbaria, studying material that was collected by other people. I really can't think of a physical condition that would limit someone's ability to become a taxonomist.

8.What are the procedures you go through before going for a trip?

To prepare for a trip, taxonomists must have a thorough knowledge of the species they are studying. Most taxonomists spend a lot of time with specimens in museums or herbaria, so that when they find new species they will be able to distinguish them.

For anyone traveling in the tropics, it's important to understand the hazards of the place you'll be working and how to avoid them. You may need to get immunized for various diseases (yellow fever, hepatitis), or take drugs against malaria. The World Health Organization has an excellent web site for travelers.

9.Do you get chances to visit rainforests of other countries other than where you work?

I've had the good fortune to visit rainforests in Ecuador and Peru as well as Costa Rica, and I hope to travel to Indonesia and tropical Africa as well. Most taxonomists travel widely in search of their study organisms. For example, Drs. Robbin Moran, John Mickel, and Tim Motley are involved in a project to catalog and describe all the ferns in the genus Elaphoglossum. Their work takes them all around the world.

10. One of the best things about your work?

The best thing about working in the rainforest is that nearly every day that I go out, I see something I've never seen before. Just a few days ago I saw a strange, leafless purple flower growing out of a rotting log. After checking several sources, I found out that it was Voyria tenella, a parasitic plant in the gentian family. The rainforest is a never-ending source of wonder.

11.Any advice you would like to give to a future taxonomist?

Choose something that you love. Find a group of animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, protists, viruses, etc., that is so fascinating that you know you'll want to spend the rest of your life unraveling its mysteries. Another piece of advice I'd give to any young scientist is that you need to become an advocate for science and for conservation. It's no longer enough to sit in a museum and name 400 fig wasps in your career. The diversity of life is threatened, and scientists who understand it are in the best position to teach the public about how marvelous – and how fragile – earth's biodiversity really is. Learn to communicate, not just with other scientists, but with garbage collectors, bakers, bankers, tax lawyers, politicians, gym teachers, firemen. The better ordinary people understand the value of biodiversity, the better prepared we will be to face the challenges of this millennium.

12.Who are BEST suited for this work,boys or girls?

I think anyone could be a taxonomist. Historically, most taxonomists have been men, but this is more due to the circumstances of history than to any lack of ability. Now that women have access to higher education, there are many successful female taxonomists. For example, Dr. Lynn Bohs just received one of the largest grants in the history of taxonomy for her work on the genus Solanum (which contains eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, and chili peppers).

13.Is this career very competitive?

Actually, taxonomy is much more collaborative than it is competitive. Many projects are conducted by groups of researchers rather than lone individuals. In the U.S., the National Science Foundation has several programs dedicated to training taxonomists. The P.E.E.T. grant is a fund set up to train future experts in taxonomy. Several of my friends in graduate school are supported by these funds. It may be difficult to get into graduate school for taxonomy – you will need good grades, good test scores, and good recommendations – but if you can get in, there are numerous job possibilities.

14.Which country is the most suitable for job opportunity?

Right now, there are good systematics programs in many universities around the world. The U.S. has a large proportion of them, but unfortunately new visa restrictions have made it more difficult for foreign students to get into the country. There are some very good universities in Europe, and some newer but also very good programs in Latin America. Australia and New Zealand have some good schools, too. The important thing is to find a program that you are interested in, and a professor who you get along with. If you follow your dreams with dedication and enthusiasm, you will find a rewarding career.

> >Thank you for having spent your precious time to answer my questions.

My pleasure. Best of luck!