Rachel Bell GRAD SCHOOL DIARIES
field work research travel
The Traveling Field Biologist
After my most recent field season at a nature reserve in Southwest Madagascar, the topic of travel to and from my field site is fresh on my mind. Though the main objective of a field season is to collect data out in nature, actually getting there is an adventure of its own! Take, for example, the drive to my remote field site from the capital of Madagascar—Antananarivo.
After 2 (or 3) flights to get from the United States to Madagascar, we arrive in Antananarivo in the center of the island country (Fig. 1). The other researchers and I usually get a couple days to explore the city before beginning the drive down to the field. This usually involves eating at several of the great restaurants in the city and getting a few gifts for family and friends back home.
Figure 1. The view of Antananarivo from my hotel room. The capital city of Madagascar is over 4,000 feet above sea level, and is actually quite cool when I arrive in August since it’s winter in the Southern Hemisphere! Photo credits: Rachel Bell
The two or three day drive to the field site starts in the central plateau of Madagascar, which is mainly farmland and beautiful mountains (Fig. 2). During my most recent field season, this trip was a little bit longer than anticipated. We ended up in the town of Antsirabe for three days after our car broke down about four hours outside of the capital. Nonetheless, Ansirabe was a lovely place to be stuck for a few days! We got to explore the city, visit some tourist sites, and enjoy good food while the car was repaired (Fig. 3). Sometimes unexpected things happen during field work, and my best advice is to go with the flow. Soon enough, we were back on the road again.
Figure 2. The beauty of the central plateau! Photo credits: Lillian Cheng
Figure 3. Riding a pedi-cab through the streets of Antsirabe. This was actually my very first time riding in a pedi-cab! Photo credits: Rachel Bell
We are on paved road for a good portion of the drive. The last 116 kilometers or so, however, are on dirt roads. This part of the drive can be slow going while the driver skillfully navigates uneven terrain in a vehicle carrying tons of people and luggage, but it is also beautiful and exciting as we get closer and closer to the field site.
Once we enter the reserve and begin the final drive to the campsite where the researchers stay, both sides of the road are lined with the one of a kind spiny forest found only in Madagascar (Fig. 4). Getting into camp is always exciting and marked by lots of warm greetings and the hustle and bustle of settling in. Then, about four weeks later, I head back to the capital city and the adventure starts up again in reverse!
Figure 4. Alluaudia, a plant genus endemic to Madagascar and found only in spiny forests. Photo credits: Rachel Bell
Travel is a major part of fieldwork, and for me, it is always a memorable and breathtaking component of doing research as a field biologist.