Dear all,
High beurocracy hihly complicate field ecolocial and evolutionary research nowadays. Nearly all tropical countries (maybe all?) requires research permit for performitng research and in a lot of countries is permit the costliest and the most difficult part of expedition (of course, now the most problematic is coronavirus and regulations, but my qousteion is about standart world). I plan perfrom research in tropical countries (where is high diversity of Ceratina bees which I study) but I do nod need specific location (natural history of these bees is almost unknown in all tropics). Therefore, one of the most important factor for effectivity of this research is how easy is leaglly way for performing of this research (including export of genetic material). Although obtaining of permits is generally difficult, one of fundamental features of the world is that variability exists, therefore I soppose, that some countries will be easier than others.
The important parametres for me are: 1) general rules: if will be possible perform research and export samples in areas outside protected areas, it will be optimal (this situtatiopn is e.g. in Czech republic, my home country, but I do know any tropcal country where it is trues). 2) beurocracy: only small paperwork and speed processes (until three months). Optimal if together is issued research also export permit 3) price: permits somewhere are per thousantds dollars, somewhere cheaper, proably also exists countris without application fee. Until thousand dollars is relatively ok for me. 4) necessity of local collaborator (i am generally not against local collaborator, but for effective collaboration there must be shared research interest, not only duty given by law).
Note: I know webpage Skeptical moth (https://www.theskepticalmoth.com/collecting-permits/) where are some information. Although this webpage is useful, I will try open here another discussion, because it can help to perform research effectively me and I hope that also others
You have come to Indonesia, Borneo, Papua, a lot biodiversity you can look. since we are in the ring of area
Hi
I have a very good experience with Costa Rica. The rules are really ok and they are very friendly to cooperate with scientists. I worked in Costa Rica two times and always was easy to get permissions.
Hi
I am now working on ABS (Nagoya Protocol) issues. And, based on my experience, the knowledge, experience and administration skill of your counterpart is quite important for you to avoid possible problems related to ABS issues. And “clearer” is often more important than “easier”.
The general climate is not really tropical in Vietnam. However, if you are interested in the Vietnamese fauna of Ceratina, I will be able to introduce to you a potential collaborator who is a taxonomist and ecologist of Vespidae and other wasps and bees and the vice head of the Insect Ecology Department, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. IEBR has a permanent field station "Me Linh Station for Biodiversity", mostly secondary forests located at the foot of Tam Dao Mountain Region, just around 30 minutes from Ha Noi - Noi Bai International Airport to the station by a car. Once your institution successfully concludes a MOU with IEBR, then you will be able to obtain the research and specimen-export permissions speedily and you can stay in the guestroom of the station and use the facilities (simple lab space etc.).
If you like to consider this possibility, please send me a message directly to me through RG.
Best wishes,
eguchi
If you do not mind coming to Africa, Nigeria is a place where you can easily carry out your research with less paper work and more enthusiastic collaboration.
My recommendation would be to decide which countries provide the most interesting biodiversity for your interests and then develop collaborative links with researchers in those areas. Those people will understand the restrictions on research and export of biological material. It is also important to develop capacities in especially the less affluent countries and active collaboration is a good way to do this, not to mention the huge personal rewards of working with different cultures.
You have come to Indonesia, Borneo, Papua, a lot biodiversity you can look. since we are in the ring of area
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