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Our first scientific expedition
During the first trip to the archipelago, Microland and its partners provided technical, thematic and logistical support to local structures and actors in charge of studying and promoting biodiversity.
Our objective here was to assist them in the deployment of development projects (e.g. walks and naturalist trips, butterfly greenhouse, etc.). These projects aim to support the local economy on a very small scale and to promote biodiversity's conservation.
In parallel, a Nature database of São Tomé and Príncipe has been set up. The deployment of biodiversity enhancement projects carried out by local actors aims in particular to provide the means necessary for the local administration of the Nature database. In exchange, the latter will constitute a useful tool for all the stakeholders in the territory's biodiversity: study and conservation, information, communication, promotion, etc.
Results of the first expedition, February 2019
It is with a multidisciplinary environmental knowledge Gérard Filippi and his team were able to exercise their passion and expertise to meet their objectives last February. Venturing into the depths of the Santomean jungle, scientific researchers studied this unique biodiversity under the microscope, discovering new specimens for the science.
Discoveries being analysed:
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Dragonflies: a new species for São Tomé and Príncipe has been described: Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889). It is a species of dragonfly from the family Libellulidae still unknown on the island
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Butterflies or rhopalocera: no new species, however, we have analysed that a good number of them are endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe. A collection is being prepared for the Bom Successo Garden and for the CIAT (Agro-technological research centre).
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Cicadas: only one species has been collected and described already known by science: Pycna schmitzi (Boulard, 1979)
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Moths: 700 specimens were collected. Scientific work is still in progress because it is one of the most laborious orders, particularly for micro-lepidoptera. A collection is also being prepared for the CIAT. The agronomic and technical investigation centre already has an old collection protected under good conditions. The objective is to perpetuate a reference collection for scientists
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Lucans: a new species already described by a Japanese entomologist a few months ago
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Beetles of all kinds: many species are being determined with a new species of Brentidae under study.
1600 insects were thus collected and being analysed. To date, we estimate more than a hundred described species, among all the insects, with a high proportion of endemism.
Les membres de l'équipe de Microland durant leur première expédition en février dernier.
A big thank-you
This first mission was a great success thanks to actions and objectives put in place and our excellent team efforts. However, this project with a flourishing ambition could not have succeeded without the generous support of our collaborators, our friends, and other nature enthusiasts who have trusted us so far. The Microland team would like to thank you all!
February 2019, “Archipelago's Biodiversity, the São Tomé and Príncipe Project”. Meet our team
We are a team of scientific enthusiasts, engaged in biodiversity's study and conservation. We pride ourselves in sharing our knowledge gained during the “Archipelago's Biodiversity, the São Tomé and Príncipe Project”.
GÉRARD FILIPPI
"Getting to know better the species that surround us is an infinite task, filled with wonder and compassion for life. Sharing this curiosity with a wider community is also giving a message of hope on the fragility of the living world around us. "
Entomologist, mission coordinator, Founder and President of NGO Microland, Gérard Filippi is a passionate autodidact for 40 years and travelled all over the world. He has also created several educational exhibitions telling the planet and biodiversity story. He hosts numerous conferences and radio chronicles. In 2009 he created a naturalist expertise firm Ecotonia, then recently Inveo, a research company which implements scientific management protocols for sensitive flora and fauna in partnership with the MNHN and the CNRS of Montpellier. Finally, he supervises Microland's scientific expeditions and will be in charge of entomological inventories.
BENJAMIN VOLLOT
A graduate of a BTSA in Management and Protection of Nature, specializing in Nature animation, supplemented by a Masters level from the École Pratique de Hautes Études, Benjamin specialized in avifauna notably by banding that he performs on various species ( House sparrow, Barn owl, malaria passerine birds, etc) to better understand and protect them. This function leads him to collaborate with numerous institutions (CIRAD, CNRS, CEFE, ENVT, etc) on studies of avian zoonoses (Avian influenza, West Nile virus, Malaria, etc). He is also responsible for the Camargue Wildlife Conservation Center at the Pont de Gau Bird Park and works as a manager of natural spaces for the Conservatoire du Littoral. The analysis of bibliographic and field data (Sampling protocols, databases, GIS mapping) serve these different missions.
VINCENT PEARLSTEIN
"Scientific discoveries require work, rigor and a passion for research. Expeditions such as Microland's bring together passionate researchers and I am happy to be part of it."
A student in Terminale S at the Lycée Paul Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence and a BEPC graduate, Vincent Pearlstein accompanied the naturalistic inventories of entomofauna on an ad hoc basis within the Ecotonia firm. Passionate about the environment from a very young age, he will provide all possible help during the expedition and will apply the knowledge acquired during his field trips.
RÉMY PONCET
“The study and conservation of Nature do not only go through the scientific approach, but it is also a human adventure. It is an infinite chance to be able to take part in it. ”
Rémy Poncet is in charge of the inventory of lichens. Graduated with a master's degree in Environmental Sciences, he is a scientific expert on “terrestrial ecosystems” and “lichens”. He worked in metropolitan France and overseas (Reunion, Crozet, Kerguelen) where he participated in numerous projects and inventories in collaboration with local and national structures. He founded the Association Tools for Nature in 2018.
PATRIZIA DI CIAULA
Patrizia Di Ciaula born in Canada and graduated from the University of Toronto is passionate about nature and its preservation. She has always observed, studied and photographed flora and fauna. His regular field trips allow him to deepen his knowledge. She receives a call from nature when one day a red-headed Amadine (Amadina erythrocephala) a bird which belongs to the family of Estrildidae, enters her house and rests on her shoulder. She collected numerous injured birds which she treated and released in their natural habitat. His long practice of Aiki-do completes his journey towards union with Nature. During the expedition, she will occupy the position of assistant ornithologist and naturalist photographer.
ANNE-HÉLÈNE PARADIS
“Inventorying nature is a fascinating subject which highlights its extraordinary diversity. It is an essential work that helps to raise awareness on the importance of its preservation. ”
Anne-Hélène is in charge of the inventory of epiphytic flora (orchids, ferns, etc.). Graduated with a master's degree in Environmental Sciences, expert botanist and phytosociologist, she studied flora and ecosystems in mainland France with local and national institutions and in the intertropical zone during her travels.
LOUISE FILIPPI
"Filming nature teaches us to be attentive, receptive to the various events witnessed by the surrounding flora and fauna. Being able to capture them allows us to share this dialogue with a larger number, to create a story, and thus bear witness to the current ecological challenges. "
A graduate of ESEC and the Sorbonne in Paris where she is following a Master of Research in Cinema, Louise Filippi has made short fiction films, documentaries and promotional films where she filmed naturalist inventories. On the island of Sao Tome, she will follow the different stages of the trip with her camera, documenting the flora and fauna, the missions carried out, the challenges of the project, with the aim of making a first pilot film which will serve as the basis for the future expeditions.
LOUISE DE CALAN
A graduate in visual communication and cultural mediation, Louise de Calan helps Microland to support a project that is close to her heart. She oversees the coordination of communication.
CAMILLE FILIPPI
"Nous devons tous nous investir d’une manière ou d’une autre dans la préservation de notre planète. Soutenir des projets qui ont du sens grâce à des stratégies de communication adaptées à la cause environnementale, est ce qui me passionne aujourd’hui"
Avec un Master en Stratégie des Médias et Publicité (ISCPA Paris), Camille s'est tournée vers les relations presse depuis quelques années entre Paris, Londres et maintenant Melbourne. Passionnée et intriguée depuis toujours par la nature, elle s’est spécialisée dans la cause environnementale, par le biais de projets variés promouvant l’architecture responsable, ou assurant la réputation d’un parc animalier spécialisé dans la préservation d’espèces Australienne en voie de disparition. Avec un esprit à la fois créatif et stratégique et dotée d’une grande persévérance, Camille soutiendra le projet de São Tome en partageant chaque étape que les experts scientifiques franchiront.