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?!?