Scientists are surveying conservation areas in a Papua New Guinea mountain range to gauge the impact of 15 years of conservation efforts.
The lead scientist for the Nature Conservancy in the Asia-Pacific, Eddie Game, says the surveys are to help communities in Madang's Aedelbert Mountains understand the effectiveness of their conservation initiatives.
The survey involves recording the soundscape in the area.
Mr Game says the soundscape surveys will show whether the designated conservation areas are large enough to preserve the environment and key species.
"And by exploring that relationship we get a guide as to what the kind of, what requirements there are for land use planning. Both in the Aedelberts but we hope it will be transferrable to other communities. Both in Madang Province that are doing this and some other provinces that are really interested in it."
