Dr. Paul E. OuboterNational Zoological Collection/Environmental

Research Center & Faculty of Technology

ContentsIntroduction to BiodiversitySustainable Management of Natural

Resources – The role of Biodiversity research

Research projects by NZCS/CMOImportance of biodiversity research in

SurinamePresent and future research

CBD: Biological Diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Why focus on Biological Diversity?Why focus on Biological Diversity?

World in a species extinction waveEvery day an estimated 70-400

species go extinct worldwide – this is the third documented wave of extinctions

First wave in Perm (250 mil), caused by collision of continents and drying of continental seas

Second wave at end of Cretaceous (65 mil), caused by collision of meteorite with the earth in the Gulf of Mexico

Third wave of extinctions occurring now, caused by man

Started end of Pleistocene: Extinction of Megafauna

Recent examples of extinctions:

So, only man can solve the crisis !!

HistoryHistory1987 Brundtland Report “Our Common

Future”Sustainable Development was defined.

Brundtland Report led to:1988 Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts

on Biological Diversity1989 Ad Hoc Working Group of Technical

and Legal Experts 1992 Earth Summit Rio de Janeiro

UN Convention on Biological DiversityUN Convention on Climate ChangeUN Convention to Combat Desertification

Why do we need biodiversity?Why do we need biodiversity?FoodMedicineBuilding materialsClothingCosmeticsFossil fuelsRecreationReligionEstheticsEcosystem

functioning

Ecosystem functioningOxygenClimate stabilizationEcosystem

stabilizationErosion protectionWater supplyBreakdown dead

organic matterPollination

Biodiversity of Suriname – How Biodiversity of Suriname – How was it shaped?was it shaped?EvolutionContinental driftConnection between South and North AmericaGlacial periodsGeography: mountains and riversGuyana CurrentEl NiñoMen

Alteration of habitatsExtirpation of speciesIntroduction of species

Organizations related to Biodiversity in Organizations related to Biodiversity in SurinameSurinameMinistry ATM – CBD, AIS

NIMOS – E(S)IA’sMinistry ROGB – Nature Preservation Law,

Game Law, Forest Law, CITES, carbon creditsSBBSTINASU

Ministry LVV – Agricultural biodiversity, Pesticides, Fisheries

Ministry Public Health – Vectors, diseasesMinistry TCT – (Eco)-tourismMinistry HI – Wildlife trade, pesticide imports

Ministry Education – Education in BiodiversityIOLAdeKUS

FTeW IGSR Nat. Herbarium NZCS/CMO CELOS

Ministry RO – projects/development interiorAll other MinistriesWWFCISCFACTTropenbos

The role of Biodiversity research

What is SUSTAINABLE ?What is SUSTAINABLE ?Bruntland: “meeting the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Wikipedia: “the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources”.

How to measure sustainable ?How to measure sustainable ?

Environmental indicatorsBiodiversity indicatorsEconomic indicatorsSocial indicators

A development project is sustainable when it is economically feasible, does not impact the environment and biodiversity “significantly” , takes account of all stakeholders and provides benefits for an extended period of time

Biodiversity is:Biodiversity is:

Natural resourceIndicator for measurement of

sustainability

Streams SMNRStreams SMNRLand and water managementSustainable energyMineral resourcesSustainable agricultureSustainable forestryBiodiversityNatural products

Biodiversity also an issue in:Biodiversity also an issue in:Public healthEconomySociologyArchaeologyClimate change

Land and Water Management

Catchment area conservationZoning, incl nature conservationWater quality/Aquatic ecologyImpact of management activities on

Biodiversity

Example: Classification of rivers (river sections)

Sustainable Energy

Impact of “exploitation” activities on Biodiversity

Hydro-power

Example: Brokopondo Lake

Mineral Resources

Impact of “exploitation” activities on BiodiversityDestruction of unique habitatsThreat to endemic or rare species

Biodiversity often used as indicators by mining companies and governmental agencies

Example: Use of fish as indicators for mining pollution

Sustainable Agriculture

Impact of “exploitation” activities on Biodiversity

Pesticides?Alternative pest management, use of natural

enemiesPest identificationAgricultural Biodiversity

Sustainable Forestry

Impact of “exploitation” activities on Biodiversity

Resource itself is Biodiversity

Example: Celos Management System at Kabo

BiodiversitySustainable use of Biodiversity (resource)Conservation of BiodiversityThreats to BiodiversityUse as indicatorIdentification

Examples: 1.Sustainable exploitation of spectacled

caiman2.Impact of eco-tourism on Biodiversity3.Identification of areas with high priority

for protection

Natural Products

Resource itself is BiodiversityIdentification of natural productsSustainable harvest

Parameter River Interior River Coastal Plain

River Savanna Belt

pH 6.5-7.3 6.1-7.5 3.0-5.5

Conductivity/salinity

Low Low to high Low

Dissolved oxygen

High Medium Low

Turbidity Low Medium to high Low

Hardness Low to medium Low to medium Low

Nutrients Low Medium Low

1. Classification of rivers (river sections)

Parameter River Interior River Coastal Plain

River Savanna Belt

Aquatic macrophytes

Predominantly Podostemaceae

Many species Many species

Fishes High diversity Lower diversity Lower diversity

Fish size Small to large Mostly medium to large

Mostly small

Loricariid catfish

High diversity Low diversity Low diversity

Crustaceans Several species Several species Only 1-3 species

Caimans Mostly Paleosuchus trigonatus

Mostly Caiman crocodilus

Caiman crocodilus and Paleosuchus palpebrosus

Ecosystem dependence

Surrounding forest

Forest, swamps and river

Surrounding swamps

2. Brokopondo LakeAfter closing of dam in 1964:Drowning of forest and many animals

Decomposition of vegetation

Depletion of oxygen

Release of nutrients

Fish kill in downstream river

Bloom of water hyacinth

3. Use of fish as indicators for water qualityMining causes high turbidity in streamsMining causes high turbidity in streams

Impacts of high turbidity

High turbidity

Low visibility

Bottom structures covered

Visual hunters disappear

Reproduction decreased

4. Celos Management System at KaboLow impact loggingImprovement of survival of seedlings and

young trees of economic valuable timber species

Survival enhancement realized through poisoning of neighboring trees

20 year cycle

Conditions for sustainable caiman harvestOnly harvesting of specimens >150cm

(mainly males)Only harvesting downstream of Zeekoe CreekNo harvesting in tributaries, total protection

of tributariesAnnual monitoring program to observe

population trend

6. Impact of eco-tourism on BiodiversityImpact of eco-tourism on amphibians at

Brownsberg & Raleighvallen4 trails/roads with impact of tourists4 trails/roads without impact of touristsAmphibians observed and recorded during

early morning survey and night survey

Simpson’s Simpson’s Species Species Diversity IndexDiversity Index

Rainy season

Dry season

7. Identification of areas with high priority for protectionWhat do we know?Species numbersEndemismRare and threatened

speciesEcosystem diversityThreats

Number of species

Number of endemic species

Conclusion, areas with high priority for protectionWhat do we know: Brownsberg quite well,

other areas insufficientSpecies numbers: Can only be established for

BrownsbergEndemism: Highest at Nassau and LelyRare and threatened species: ?Ecosystem diversity: Highest in Bakhuis Mts.Threats: Highest for Nassau Mt.

Nassau Mt. highest conservation priority!

Importance of Biodiversity research in SurinameProvide data for:The establishment of protected areasThe management of protected or other

natural areasThe management of wildlifeSustainable use of biodiversityMonitoring of environmental impactsPest control in agriculture and public healthEducation on biodiversity

Present and future researchPresent and future researchBiodiversity of high bauxite plateaus (Nassau

and Lely)Impact of eco-tourism on BiodiversityImpact of forestry on BiodiversityImpact of climate change on Biodiversity

AcknowledgementMy colleagues and co-workersMany donor organizationsAdeKUS FTeW/VLIR

Questions?!?