Estimating carbon stock in lowland Papua New Guinean forest: Low density of large trees results in lower than global average carbon stock

Papua New Guinean forests (PNG), sequestering up to 3% of global forest carbon, are a focus of climate change mitigation initiatives, yet few field‐based studies have quantified forest biomass and carbon for lowland PNG forest. We provide an estimate for the 10 770 ha Wanang Conservation Area (WCA) to investigate the effect of calculation methodology and choice of allometric equation on estimates of above‐ground live biomass (AGLB) and carbon. We estimated AGLB and carbon from 43 nested plots at the WCA. Our biomass estimate of 292.2 Mg AGLB ha^?1 (95% CI 233.4–350.6) and carbon at 137.3 Mg C ha^?1 (95% CI 109.8–164.8) is higher than most estimates for PNG but lower than mean global estimates for tropical forest. Calculation method and choice of allometric model do not significantly influence mean biomass estimates; however, the most recently calibrated allometric equation generates estimates 13% higher for lower 95% confidence intervals of mean biomass than previous allometric models – a value often used as a conservative estimate of biomass. Although large trees at WCA (>70 cm diameter at breast height) accounted for 1/5 total biomass, their density was lower than that seen in SE Asian and Australia forests. Lower density of large trees accounts for lower AGLB than in neighbouring forests – as large trees contribute disproportionately to forest biomass. Reduced frequency of larger trees at WCA is explained by the lack of diversity of large dipterocarp species common to neighbouring SE Asian forests and, potentially, higher rates of local disturbance dynamics. PNG is susceptible to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) extreme drought events to which large trees are particularly sensitive and, with still over 20% carbon in large trees, differential mortality under increasing ENSO drought stress raises the risk of PNG forest switching from carbon sink to source with reduced long‐term carbon storage capacity.     

Yams and megapode mounds in the lowland rain forest of Papua New Guinea

Kubo people of Papua New Guinea sometimes grew Dioscorea yams in mounds of forest litter that were made as egg-incubation sites by birds (Megapodiidae).' The small yam plots were included within larger banana gardens and, in the latter, it was yams, not bananas, that took precedence in the gardening decisions of people. The technique would be viable in the absence of a larger garden. It is interpreted as an expression of an ancient pattern of small-scale plant domestication.     

Forest Conversion and Degradation in Papua New Guinea 1972–2002

Quantifying forest change in the tropics is important because of the role these forests play in the conservation of biodiversity and the global carbon cycle. One of the world's largest remaining areas of tropical forest is located in Papua New Guinea. Here we show that change in its extent and condition has occurred to a greater extent than previously recorded. We assessed deforestation and forest degradation in Papua New Guinea by comparing a land-cover map from 1972 with a land-cover map created from nationwide high-resolution satellite imagery recorded since 2002. In 2002 there were 28,251,967 ha of tropical rain forest. Between 1972 and 2002, a net 15 percent of Papua New Guinea's tropical forests were cleared and 8.8 percent were degraded through logging. The drivers of forest change have been concentrated within the accessible forest estate where a net 36 percent were degraded or deforested through both forestry and nonforestry processes. Since 1972, 13 percent of upper montane forests have also been lost. We estimate that over the period 1990–2002, overall rates of change generally increased and varied between 0.8 and 1.8 percent/yr, while rates in commercially accessible forest have been far higher—having varied between 1.1 and 3.4 percent/yr. These rates are far higher than those reported by the FAO over the same period. We conclude that rapid and substantial forest change has occurred in Papua New Guinea, with the major drivers being logging in the lowland forests and subsistence agriculture throughout the country with comparatively minor contributions from forest fires, plantation establishment, and mining.     

Tree and Liana Enumeration and Diversity on a One-Hectare Plot in Papua New Guinea1

Enumeration of a one hectare plot at 900 m a.s.l in Papua New Guinea revealed 693 individuals of 228 tree and liana species ≥ 10 cm DBH. A 0.1 hectare subplot contained 302 individuals of 106 species 2.5 ≥ DBH < 10 cm. Lauraceae, Moraceae, and Myristicaceae were the most important families in both size classes. This site is very diverse compared with other tropical forests, and like other species-rich sites worldwide, it has high aseasonal rainfall and high rates of natural disturbance.     

Contributions to the Cladocera fauna from Papua New Guinea

Twenty-eight taxa of the Cladocera are identified in collections from Papua New Guinea, 17 being new records for New Guinea, bringing the total number of Cladocera taxa reported for this region to 39. Most of the taxa are circumtropical. One species (Sarsilatona papuana) is endemic to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. The species list includes two species that are normally listed as Holarctic:Alonella nana andAlona rustica. Widespread genera such asDaphnia, Pleuroxus, Disparalona, Acroperus were strikingly absent from the Papua New Guinean material.     

Ecology of Aglaia mackiana (Meliaceae) Seedlings in a New Guinea Rain Forest1

The large seeds of Aglaia mackiana (Meliaceae) germinate and produce vigorous seedlings under closed canopies or in large gaps. To assess seedling ecology after germination, we measured growth, herbivore damage, and survivorship of seedlings over one year. The sample included shaded seedlings from dispersed seeds, undispersed seeds under parent trees, and seedlings transplanted to gaps. We quantified the light environment using hemispherical canopy photographs taken above seedlings at the beginning and end of the one–year study. Seedlings transplanted to gaps grew faster and had more leaves, larger total leaf surface area, longer secondary roots, and greater root mass than shaded seedlings. Seedlings in gaps did not differ from shaded seedlings in survivorship or amount of herbivore– and pathogen–caused leaf damage. The canopy photographs taken one year apart suggest there is a rough equilibrium in closed canopies with slight changes occurring around an average light level. Sites with < 0.06 ISF (a unitless, relative measure of canopy openness or reflected sunlight) tended to remain the same with minor fluctuations toward brighter or darker. Sites with canopy openness > 0.06 ISF tended to close; few gaps grew larger. Seedlings under parenr trees and seedlings away from parent trees had similar amounts of leaf damage and virtually identical survivorship after 18 months, but seedlings under parent trees had slower growth rates and smaller total leaf surface areas. Dispersal did not strongly benefit seeds via escaping high levels of mortality or comperition around the parent.     

A multivariate approach to fingerprint variation in Papua New Guinea: Implications for prehistory

Fingerprint data from three Markham Valley populations of Papua New Guinea are presented. Initial comparisons with data from elsewhere in New Guinea by conventional bivariate methods suggest hypotheses regarding prehistory, but these methods are inconclusive. Because of this shortcoming, the application of discriminant analysis to dermatoglyphic data is justified and cautiously demonstrated. Discriminant analysis is a valid approach to the parsimonious study of fingerprint relationships among human populations. Significant discriminating variables are then used with the limited published data to display historical relationships. These marker traits include the separate frequencies of thumb, middle fingers, and little finger patterning, and the complexity of the thenar eminence. With regard to prehistory, it is concluded that fingerprint data support the hypothesis of separate origins and migrations for Papuan- and Melanesian-speaking peoples. Furthermore, it is suggested that these data support the linguistic hypothesis of a second Papuan migration of Trans New Guinea Phylum speakers, up the Markham Valley into the New Guinea Highlands. Finally, gene flow is indicated from Melanesian speakers of the north coast into the interior through the Sepik and Ramu River valleys, affecting both the Trans New Guinea Phylum and other unrelated Papuan groups. Moreover, there are numerous suggestions of recent reciprocal genetic exchange between neighboring Melanesians and Papuans, without obliterating the older, separate origins of these peoples. These results suggest that fingerprints have greater phylogenetic stability than other biological parameters used in the past.     

Male social status and its predictors among Garisakang forager-horticulturalists of lowland Papua New Guinea

Social hierarchy exists in all human societies, yet the characteristics important for achieving high social status may differ cross-culturally. Studies among Western industrialized populations often use indices of socioeconomic status (SES) to determine individual social position. Conversely, studies among small-scale societies typically use locally relevant traits. Cross-cultural applicability and the relationships between these two strategies have rarely been investigated. Studies limited to industrialized societies demonstrate that low social status is associated with poor health and elevated levels of chronic stress. It remains unclear, however, if and to what extent this relationship is a recent phenomenon in industrialized Western society or a universal human characteristic that has likely been present throughout much of our recent evolutionary history. In this study, we investigate relationships between various SES and locally relevant measures of male social status, age, body-mass index (BMI), and levels of waking salivary cortisol among relatively egalitarian Garisakang forager-horticulturalists of lowland Papua New Guinea. We employ a photo-ranking method using 32 raters (16 women, 16 men) to evaluate 15 measures of social hierarchy in men (N = 32). These measures target locally relevant traits considered important for male social status (e.g., sociability, hunting skills, fighting ability, and community influence). Using principal component analysis (PCA), we extracted two components labeled as Dominance-Respect and Prosociality-Skills. Models investigating predictors of social status demonstrate that age was significantly and positively related to both Dominance-Respect and Prosociality-Skills while BMI was positively related to only Dominance-Respect. Neither Dominance-Respect nor Prosociality-Skills predicted salivary cortisol levels. However, the SES measure of Income was significantly and positively related to cortisol levels, suggesting that men with higher income experience higher levels of stress. This finding may be explained by increased psychological stress accompanying market integration among the Garisakang or, alternatively, by culturally specific expectations for resource sharing and fear of conflict. These findings emphasize the usefulness of diverse social status measures in anthropological research and stress the need for broadened perspectives regarding the causes and consequences of social status among small-scale populations.     

Studies of endemic cretinism in Papua New Guinea: digital and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns

We have tested the hypothesis that the abnormal development of the central nervous system seen in endemic cretinism might be accompanied by concurrent abnormal dermatoglyphic patterns. We compared digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of normal individuals and endemic cretins inhabiting the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea. The population sampled from the Irumu River Valley included 118 males and 114 females with 22 male cretins and 23 female cretins. The population sampled from the Wantoat River Valley included 72 males and 38 females with 12 male cretins. No pathognomonic patterns were found that could identify the endemic cretin subpopulation. However, the occurrence of a number of differences between controls and cretins suggests that subtle changes in dermatoglyphic patterns accompany the anomalous development of the CNS secondary to maternal iodine deficiency. We discuss the significance of these findings and compare the dermatoglyphic patterns of normal Irumu and Wantoat natives and 21 other populations of Papua New Guinea.     

Mapping forest-cover disturbances in Papua New Guinea with AVHRR data

Abstract. Land management and land-use planning in a forested country such as Papua New Guinea, which is subject to various anthropogenic pressures, requires an accurate mapping of forest-cover disturbances. The central hypothesis of this study was that remote sensing indicators of forest-cover conditions can be used to measure and map the impact of long-term forest-cover disturbances. This was tested with single year NOAA's Advanced Very-High Resolution Radiometer sensor (AVHRR) data at 1.1 km resolution. First, an ordinal scale of forest-cover disturbance was defined from field observations, a set of thematic maps and high spatial resolution satellite sensor data. Secondly, we analysed the relationship between the forest-cover disturbance scale and several biophysical indicators derived from AVHRR data at two seasons. Thirdly, a statistical analysis identified the optimal combination of biophysical indicators and observation dates to discriminate between the forest disturbance levels defined previously. A forest-cover disturbance map was then produced over part of Papua New Guinea. Finally, a regionalization of the study area in terms of aggregate degree of disturbance was produced and the spatial patterns of forest disturbances were interpreted for each region in terms of broad processes of forest-cover change. The overall accuracy of the forest-cover disturbance map was 79%. Nine regions, homogeneous in regard to the distribution and spatial pattern of disturbance categories, were identified.     

The vertical distribution of flying insects in lowland rain-forests of Panama, Papua New Guinea and Brunei

Ultra-violet light traps were hung at four vertical levels, to monitor the distribution of flying insects in the rain-forests in Panama, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and two sites in Brunei. Large insects were excluded. Ninety-eight thousand, five hundred and sixty-nine insects were trapped and the entire catch was analysed to order and in some cases to lower taxa. Clear vertical stratification was shown by most taxa and, in some cases, there was a marked concentration of numbers in the upper canopy at all four sites. In others there was no such concentration and considerable differences in vertical distribution were seen between the sites. These differences are discussed in relation to the forest structure at each site and in relation to the results obtained in Zaire. We conclude that flying insects in tropical rain-forests are not always concentrated in the upper canopy, although there is a tendency for this to occur where topography and forest structure are simple.     

The seasonal factors influencing child malnutrition on the Nembi Plateau,Papua New Guinea

A sample of children from the Nembi Plateau, Papua New Guinea, is monitored for nutritional status, episodes of sickness and disease, diets, work activity of mothers, and weight changes; and health and census records are examined for seasonal patterns of disease, deaths, birth, and birth weights. A seasonal pattern in birth weight reinforced by a seasonal pattern in growth performance and compounded by a seasonal pattern of disease suggests that the time of year in which a child is born is important to the child's growth and health. Yields, labor, and ritual surrounding the gardens give rise to the seasonal pattern of events that impinge upon the health of children.     

Introduction: The Politics of Order in Contemporary Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT

This collection of articles seeks to demonstrate that the concept of order – the intensive and extensive coordination of human action across space and time – is useful for answering some of the most pressing theoretical and practical questions in contemporary Papua New Guinea (PNG) today. Building on existing work in this field [Benda-Beckmann, K., and F. Pirie. 2007. “Introduction.” In Order and Disorder: Anthropological Perspectives, 1–15. New York: Berghahn Books] in this special issue we ask: How do people create enduring, stable, and routinised life in contemporary Melanesia today? We position our work as the next step in a growing movement to study contemporary institutions in PNG as order-making projects, rather than attempting to divide them into legitimate projects like ‘government’ and false or ineffective ones like ‘cargo cults’.     

Multivariate analysis of periphytic and benthic diatom assemblages from Papua New Guinea

The benthic and periphytic diatom flora is studied in 136 fresh waters in Papua New Guinea. DCA ordination and TWINSPAN are used to describe 20 diatom assemblages. Conductivity, water temperature and altitude are the main sources for the variation in the data. Laing Island Biological Station publication n° 214 Laing Island Biological Station publication n° 214     

Mipela Makim Gavman: Unofficial Village Courts and Local Perceptions of Order in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT

In remote villages of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, where official village courts and other state institutions are absent, local leaders routinely hold unofficial village courts to maintain law and order. They base their decisions on local perceptions of order and justice, all the while emulating elements of state justice and constantly referring to the state as the source of their legitimacy. As these unofficial judicial institutions historically emerged as a convergence of local patterns of leadership with colonial concepts of order, they neither form a completely new nor completely autochthonous method of conflict settlement, but are an example of para-statehood, in which local leaders take on state functions in the absence of the state.     

A multivariate approach to fingerprint variation in Papua New Guinea: Perspectives on the evolutionary stability of dermatoglyphic markers

In the Markham Valley of Papua New Guinea, multivariate graphical displays of serological, anthropometric, and dermatoglyphic population structures are compared pursuant to the hypothesis that fingerprints have a slower velocity of evolutionary change and, therefore, are preferable biological markers for prehistorical reconstructions. Samples from nine villages, which represent three geographical and linguistic populations, are plotted in two dimensions using appropriate multivariate techniques for maximally portraying between sample variability. Both the serological and morphometric displays are found lacking in close clusters, which demonstrates a lack of congruence with the shared languages and, presumably, the ethnohistorical origins of the three populations. These discrepancies between biology and prehistory appear to reflect recent environmental and stochastic perturbations. On the other hand, fingerprint displays conform closely to language affiliations, relatively undisturbed by environmental variation and genetic drift. The relative congruence between ethnohistorical affiliation and fingerprint diversity is further corroborated by comparing the three measures of population structure with geographical distances, using partial rank correlations. In terms of explained variance, the level of association with fingerprints is more than twice than with anthropometry, and 13 times greater than with serology. Whereas metric and serological data provide distorted portrayals of known biohistorical relationships among the study populations, fingerprint data mirror these relationships. The theoretical foundations and consequences of this observation are discussed with respect to the broader question of polygenic versus monogenic biological markers.     

Swidden cultivation in forest and savanna in lowland southwest Papua New Guinea

Ecological aspects of traditional swidden cultivation by Bine- speaking groups in wetland areas of lowland southwest Papua New Guinea are examined. A notable feature of the area is the coexistence of extensive, polycultural forest cultivation and more intensive, specialized savanna cultivation. Both agrosystems occur on soils of inherently similar properties. The savanna vegetation is secondary in character and, once established, is better suited to more intensive swidden cultivation based on taro (Colocasia esculenta). The agrosystems in question represent stages in the local development of agriculture, and, although multiple causes of intensification may be involved, the study confirms that lowland, as well as highland, areas of New Guinea have provided development opportunities for traditional cultivators.     

Bloody time revisited: New observations on time in a Papua New Guinea Village

In a 1982 paper I argued that perceptions of time scarcity in Kragur Village, Papua New Guinea, in the mid‐1970s were best understood as a reaction to new forms of authority characteristic of the growth of capitalism and calls for greater time order were grounded largely in its perceived ritual significance. More than forty years later, villagers are much more familiar with Western time, but less likely to perceive time as scarce. As in the 1970s, aspiring leaders still press for greater time order. Millenarian illusions informed advocacy of time order in the 1970s. Although today these illusions are, if not extinct, then dormant, unquestioned assumptions mirroring Western capitalist views of time inspire many of today's advocates. Yet, lacking the authority to impose new forms of time order, they have little effect on the rhythms of village life, and economic incentives to abandon comparative indifference to time remain weak.     

Ecological factors in skin color variation among Papua New Guineans

An EEL reflectance spectrophotometer was used to measure the skin color of the inner upper arm and the forearm of 913 Karkar Islanders (Madang District) and 684 Lufa villagers (Eastern Highlands District). The samples were subdivided to study sex, age, and population variation against a background of ecological observations, including sunlight exposure, clothing, and erythemally effective wavelengths of ultraviolet light (Robertson, unpublished Ph.D. thesis, 1974). Population differences in sex and age variation in upper arm skin color may largely be attributable to the effects of culturally associated clothing differences. Not only do the Lufa villagers wear substantially less clothing than the Karkars, but also their arms are exposed more frequently to ultraviolet light during heavy manual work in unshaded gardens. For the melanin content of the forearm skin there are similar patterns of age variation in both populations; however, the populations differ in mean percentage of reflectance throughout most of the age span. These between-population differences are interpreted as a consequence of greater average daily exposure to sunlight and the higher intensity of ultraviolet light in the highland environment. On the forearm the percentage of reflectance at 685 nm decreases more rapidly with age in the prepubertal and adult age groups, a result attributed to endocrine changes superimposed on cumulative changes in the melanin pigmentary mechanism.