The world’s natural environment is changing rapidly, and in many ways. Although these changes are apparent, their causes and drivers are often more elusive. To understand how and why change happens, scientists collect so-called bioindicators. These are organisms and materials that preserve environmental conditions and can be utilized to screen the health of the natural world. Water, for example, is an excellent indicator of ecosystem condition and one that we all depend on. In January, ORC started collecting indicator samples on Ongava, 193 so far.

They come from all parts of the reserve and include soils, water, plants, and animals alike. Together, the samples provide an environmental snapshot in time. We will repeat this exercise and our collection will be open to scientists from a range of backgrounds and disciplines, so that in future we can look back and understand change from different perspectives.