PGR News from the Pacific

A blog maintained by Tevita Kete, PGR Officer

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji Islands

This weblog documents the activities of Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), along with other information on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific.

The myriad varieties found within cultivated plants are fundamental to the present and future productivity of agriculture. PAPGREN, which is coordinated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), helps Pacific countries and territories to conserve their crop genetic diversity sustainably, with technical assistance from the Bioversity International (BI) and support from NZAID and ACIAR.

SPC also hosts the Centre of Pacific Crops and Trees (CEPaCT). The CEPaCT maintains regional in vitro collections of crops important to the Pacific and carries out research on tissue culture technology. The CEPaCT Adviser is Dr Mary Taylor (MaryT@spc.int), the CEPaCT Curator is Ms Valerie Tuia (ValerieT@spc.int).

mere

PAPGREN coordination and support

CEPaCT

Click on the thumbnail to see a map of the locations of Pacific genebanks. Click here to download a regional directory of genebanks in the Pacific, including information on their location, contact details and holdings.

PAPGREN partners

Mr William Wigmore
Director of Research
Ministry of Agriculture
Department of Resources & Development
P.O. Box 96
Rarotonga
Cook Islands
Tel: (682) 28711-29720
Fax: (682) 21881
Email: cimoa@oyster.net.ck

Mr Adelino S. Lorens
Chief
Agriculture Pohnpei
Office of Economic Affairs
P.O. Box 1028
Kolonia
Pohnpei 96941
Federated States of Micronesia
Tel: (691) 3202400
Fax: (691) 3202127
Email: pniagriculture@mail.fm

Dr Lois Englberger
Island Food Community of Pohnpei
Research Advisor
P.O. Box 2299
Kolonia
Pohnpei 96941
Federated States of Micronesia
Email: nutrition@mail.fm

Mr Apisai Ucuboi
Director of Research
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest
Koronivia Research Station
P.O. Box 77
Nausori
Fiji Islands
Tel: (679) 3477044
Fax: (679) 3477546-400262
Email: apisainu@yahoo.com

Dr Maurice Wong
Service du Developpement Rural
B.P. 100
Papeete
Tahiti 98713
French Polynesia
Tel: (689) 42 81 44
Fax: (689) 42 08 31
Email: maurice.wong@rural.gov.pf

Mr Tianeti Beenna Ioane
Head, Research Section
Division of Agriculture
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development
P.O. Box 267
Tarawa
Kiribati
Tel: (686) 28096-28108-28080
Fax: (686) 28121
Email : agriculture@tskl.net.ki; Beenna_ti@yahoo.com

Mr Frederick Muller
Secretary
Ministry of Resources & Development
P.O. Box 1727
Majuro 96960
Marshall Islands
Tel: (692) 6253206
Fax: (692) 6257471
Email: rndsec@ntamar.net

Mr Herman Francisco
Director
Bureau of Agriculture
Ministry of Resources & Development
P.O. Box 460
Koror 96940
Palau
Tel: (680) 4881517
Fax: (680) 4881725
Email: bnrd@pnccwg.palaunet.com

Ms Rosa Kambuou
Principal Scientist PGR
NARI Dry Lowlands Programme
Laloki Agricultural Research Station
P.O. Box 1828
Boroko
National Capital District
Papua New Guinea
Tel: (675) 3235511
Fax: (675) 3234733
Email: kambuou@global.net.pg

Ms Laisene Samuelu
Principal Crop Development Officer
Crops Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries & Meteorology
P.O. Box 1874
Apia
Samoa
Tel: (685) 23416-20605
Fax: (685) 20607-23996
Email: lsamuelu@lesamoa.net

Mr Jimi Saelea
Director of Research
Department of Agriculture and Livestock
P.O. Box G13
Honiara
Guadalcanal
Solomon Islands
Tel: (677) 27987

Mr Tony Jansen
Planting Materials Network
Kastom Gaden Association
Burns Creek, Honiara
P.O. Box 742
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Tel: (677) 39551
Email: kastomgaden@solomon.com.sb

Mr Finao Pole
Head of Research
Ministry of Agriculture & Forests
P.O. Box 14
Nuku'alofa
Tonga
Tel: (676) 23038
Fax: (676) 24271
Email: thaangana@hotmail.com

Mr Frazer Bule Lehi
Head of Research
Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Private Mail Bag 040
Port Vila
Vanuatu
Tel: (678) 22525
Fax: (678) 25265
Email: flehi@hotmail.com

Other links

Other CROP agencies
Forum Secretariat
University of the South Pacific
SPREP

Pacific biodiversity
Biodiversity hotspots
Breadfruit Institute
Hawaiian native plants
Intellectual property rights
Nature Conservancy
PBIF
PestNet
SIDS
WWF South Pacific Program

Other Pacific organizations
Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific
Micronesian Seminar
Te Puna web directory

Pacific news
Cafe Pacific
CocoNET Wireless
Island Directory
Pacific Islands News
Pacific Islands Report
Pacific Islands Travel
Pacific Time
South Pacific travel
Time Pacific

Interested in GIS?
DIVA-GIS

Monday, June 18, 2007

Posted 4:38 PM by Tevita

Australian wins prestigious prize in biodiversity informatics

From: Eurekalert (Courtesy of Luigi)

The 2007 Ebbe Nielsen Prize has been awarded to Paul Flemons of the Australian Museum, Sydney. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) established the Prize in honor of Dr. Ebbe Schmidt Nielsen, who was an inspirational leader in the fields of biosystematics and biodiversity informatics. This is the only Prize in the world that is given in the area of biodiversity informatics.

The yearly award of €30,000 recognizes a researcher who is combining biosystematics and biodiversity informatics research in an exciting and novel way. Speaking about the Prize when he was notified, Flemons said "I am honoured by the award. GBIF is making a significant contribution to biodiversity informatics."

Paul Flemons applies computer-based ecological modeling to help identify places where lots of species occur together, or species that occur only in very restricted geographical areas. This helps biodiversity scientists be more efficient in their efforts to discover and conserve species.

The GBIF Science Committee noted when it announced the 2007 Prizewinner, “Paul Flemons has been a key figure in developing a robust and accessible biodiversity data infrastructure that supports visualization and analysis for use in conservation planning and natural resource decision-making."

Further, the Committee said, "As a software developer, Flemons is particularly attuned to user needs. His work includes innovations that similar developments lack, and he has a rare mix of skill sets." The Prize winner also works on making desktop software tools into web-based tools that can be shared across the Internet. Sharing analytical software in this way promotes collaboration and cooperation among scientists and between scientists and policy-making agencies.

Flemons understands the importance of the interplay between natural history collections data, visualization and analysis tools, and conservation decision-making. He has published in top-tier scientific journals, but at the same time he builds software applications that are intuitive and maximize the user experience for both scientists and non-scientists.

Flemons' Prize will go toward engaging a broader community in the establishment of standards for data and metadata that arise from biodiversity collection and monitoring, and in furthering his work in building tools for online biodiversity analysis. He said " I look forward to using the Prize to broaden GBIF's range of data contributors to include industry and natural resource management agencies, and in further developing its contribution to biodiversity conservation planning.”

###

The Prize will be awarded on Wednesday, 17 October 2007, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where Flemons will make a presentation about his work.

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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Posted 8:56 PM by Tevita

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

From: FAO (Courtesy of Robin Hide)

In 2002 FAO initiated a wide programme on conservation and adaptive management of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage systems (GIAHS) aiming to establish the basis for the global recognition, conservation and sustainable management of such systems and their associated landscapes, biodiversity, knowledge systems and cultures.During the preparatory phase (2002-2006), the GIAHS initiative has identified pilot sites in Peru, Chile, China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. For the next seven years (2007-2014), the pilot systems will implement dynamic conservation management approaches aimed at helping the national and local stakeholders to protect and sustainably conserve the systems and their components.

While there is nothing in the Pacific in the initial phase, if you checkout the sidebar on the website:Other Systems, and then Island Countries, it leads to the following :

Pacific Islands Taro Based Homegardens (Vanuatu)

Pacific Island countries have traditional agricultural production systems that provide major food resources, and resilience to the small economies in times of external economic shocks or natural disasters (cyclones). Vanuatu is a relatively large Melanesian island country (besides Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia), and is a high, hot and wet tropical island experiencing SE trade winds. It is the most cyclone-prone island in the world, and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Most of the population is concentrated in two major towns, and 75% practice subsistence agriculture. It has rich lands suitable for crops and pastures, even though it is deficient in potassium, copper and zinc, and low in phosphorus. Vanuatu has a high population growth rate, a low HDI, low income, low literacy, and low life-expectancy. There is no proper valuation of the contribution of subsistence agriculture to the economy, even though Vanuatu is the most dependent among the large Melanesian islands on agriculture. Its vibrant cultural traditions ensure subsistence production and high food security. Severe market constraints (high shipping costs, lack of middle-men) make export development unrealistic. Nevertheless, some agricultural exports have been developed mainly tree crops (coconut, cocoa, and coffee), livestock, spices (pepper, vanilla) and indigenous nuts (nangai or Canarium, navele or Barringtonia). Multiple cropping in traditional gardens promotes food self-sufficiency: Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), taro (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), manioc or cassava (Manihot esculenta.), Fiji taro (Xanthosoma sagittofolium), breadfruit, and rice. Rich varieties of taro and yam are integrated into gardens and adjusted for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency. Dryland and irrigated taro are cultivated. Other crops cultivated in traditional gardens include sugarcane, island cabbage (Hibiscus esculenta), naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana, water melon, tomato, Chinese cabbage, and kava. Root crops generate household income. Homegardens vary in size per household (0.04-0.25 ha), most being small. Some traditional staples like taro and banana provide higher energy per unit weight than others such as breadfruit and yams, but none match exotic staples like rice and manioc.

Goods and Services Provided

Pacific island homegardens produce food crops that provide energy, proteins and nutrients, and moderate the climate. Some tree crop commodities (coconut copra, cocoa) have export value.

Threats and Challenges

Traditional homegardens are threatened by cyclones, and cheap rice imports that could displace indigenous taros and yams. There is a need to assess the threats to maintaining agro-biodiversity in small island economies.

Policy and Development Relevance

There is a need to assess the impact of food import policies on maintaining traditional agro-biodiversity in homegardens in small islands.

Global Importance

Taro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Their conservation and sustainable management is essential for risk mitigation and self-sufficiency of the islands.

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Friday, June 15, 2007

Posted 2:24 PM by Tevita

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

From: FAO ( Courtesy of Robin Hide)

While there is nothing in the Pacific in the initial phase, if you checkout the sidebar on the website:Other Systems, and then Island Countries, it leads to the following :

Pacific Islands Taro Based Homegardens (Vanuatu)

a Summary informationTaro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Vanuatu, a relatively large Melanesian island country, has a hot and wet tropical climate and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Its vibrant cultural traditions and its agricultural system ensure subsistence production and high food security, which provides the small economy with resilience in times of external economic shocks and natural disasters, such as cyclones. In their traditional, mostly small gardens people cultivate multiple crops and fruits: rich varieties of taro and yam, sweet potato, manioc or cassava, breadfruit, rice, sugarcane, island cabbage, naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana watermelon, tomato and kava. Root and tree crops, spices and indigenous nuts (nangai or navele) generate household income. Maintaining the traditional agro-biodiversity of the homegardens, which also moderate the island's climate, is essential for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency.and

b Detailed information

Outstanding Features

The Pacific Island countries have traditional agricultural production systems that provide major food resources, and resilience to the small economies in times of external economic shocks or natural disasters (cyclones). Vanuatu is a relatively large Melanesian island country (besides Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia), and is a high, hot and wet tropical island experiencing SE trade winds. It is the most cyclone-prone island in the world, and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Most of the population is concentrated in two major towns, and 75% practice subsistence agriculture. It has rich lands suitable for crops and pastures, even though it is deficient in potassium, copper and zinc, and low in phosphorus. Vanuatu has a high population growth rate, a low HDI, low income, low literacy, and low life-expectancy. There is no proper valuation of the contribution of subsistence agriculture to the economy, even though Vanuatu is the most dependent among the large Melanesian islands on agriculture. Its vibrant cultural traditions ensure subsistence production and high food security. Severe market constraints (high shipping costs, lack of middle-men) make export development unrealistic. Nevertheless, some agricultural exports have been developed mainly tree crops (coconut, cocoa, and coffee), livestock, spices (pepper, vanilla) and indigenous nuts (nangai or Canarium, navele or Barringtonia). Multiple cropping in traditional gardens promotes food self-sufficiency: Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), taro (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), manioc or cassava (Manihot esculenta.), Fiji taro (Xanthosoma sagittofolium), breadfruit, and rice. Rich varieties of taro and yam are integrated into gardens and adjusted for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency. Dryland and irrigated taro are cultivated. Other crops cultivated in traditional gardens include sugarcane, island cabbage (Hibiscus esculenta), naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana, water melon, tomato, Chinese cabbage, and kava. Root crops generate household income. Homegardens vary in size per household (0.04-0.25 ha), most being small. Some traditional staples like taro and banana provide higher energy per unit weight than others such as breadfruit and yams, but none match exotic staples like rice and manioc. Goods and Services ProvidedPacific island homegardens produce food crops that provide energy, proteins and nutrients, and moderate the climate. Some tree crop commodities (coconut copra, cocoa) have export value.Threats and ChallengesTraditional homegardens are threatened by cyclones, and cheap rice imports that could displace indigenous taros and yams. There is a need to assess the threats to maintaining agro-biodiversity in small island economies.Policy and Development RelevanceThere is a need to assess the impact of food import policies on maintaining traditional agro-biodiversity in homegardens in small islands.Global ImportanceTaro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Their conservation and sustainable management is essential for risk mitigation and self-sufficiency of the islands.

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Sunday, June 10, 2007

Posted 3:09 PM by Tevita

Surveying in the Former Kingdom of Hawaii

From : The American Surveyor

What is now the 50th State was once the Kingdom of Hawaii. Archaeological studies reveal that the Hawaiian islands have been inhabited since about 400 A.D., having been populated by migrating Polynesians from the western Pacific Ocean. After centuries of isolation, history attributes discovery of these islands to the famous British explorer Captain James Cook who arrived in Hawaii in 1778.
Along with a sophisticated social structure, there was a system of land tenure and resource management in place at the time of Cook's arrival. Alii'aimoku or kings were the highest ranking individuals controlling the islands. Their territorial control was dependent on military success and could include portions of islands or entire islands. It was not until the end of the 18th century that the entire Kingdom was united under a single individual sovereign, King Kamehameha I, often referred to as Kamehameha the Great. His legacy was passed down to six more kings and a queen before the ancient system was overthrown and a western styled Republic of Hawaii was formed in 1893. By an Act of the United States Congress on August 12, 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States of America and became the Territory of Hawaii. It was in 1959 that Hawaii's citizens chose statehood and Hawaii was welcomed into the Union as the 50th State.

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Sunday, June 03, 2007

Posted 1:51 AM by Tevita

Leadership Award for Hon Anote Tong

From: Matangi

KIRIBATI President, The Honourable Anote Tong has been presented with an Outstanding Conservation Leadership Award by Conservation International (CI) in recognition of his global leadership in protected areas with the declaration of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) in March 2006. At 184,700 square kilometres (18.5 million hectares) the PIPA is the third largest marine protected area in the world.

The PIPA has been created in collaboration with the New England Aquarium and CI.At a ceremony on May 11 at CI's global headquarters in Arlington (Virginia) President Tong received the Outstanding Conservation Leadership Award from CI President Dr. Russ Mittermeier. "We applaud the leadership shown by President Tong on behalf of the people of Kiribati," said Dr Mittermeier. "The Phoenix Islands Protected Area is an important sanctuary for the unique biodiversity of the Pacific region, which includes many species of coral, reef fish, seabirds and turtles."

"Conservation International will continue to support the Government of Kiribati in the planning and management of this marine protected area, which is a great gift to the heritage of the people of Kiribati, and to mankind," added Dr Mittermeier.

Accepting the award President Tong said he hoped others would follow his example by taking steps to protect threatened natural resources. "We are able to enjoy our oceans and reefs, and we continue to profit from the resources they provide, but have a responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to do the same," said President Tong. "With the threat of global climate change remoteness can no longer be relied upon to conserve our atolls, reefs and marine life," said President Tong. "I hope other countries - in particular developed countries - will follow the example set by the Republic of Kiribati and take action to protect the world?s natural resources."President Tong was congratulated by Dr Greg Stone, Vice President for Global Marine Programs at the New England Aquarium (Boston, USA), whose research team has carried out several expeditions in the region, documenting the unique biodiversity values of the Phoenix Islands.

Kiribati is the largest atoll nation is the world with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 3.6 million square kilometres. The PIPA which includes islands, seabed, seamounts, open ocean and coral reefs represents approximately five per cent of the EEZ.The management and enforcement of the protected area will be financed through an endowment system which will also compensate the government for lost fishing licence revenues. In the face of multiple threats to marine biodiversity this represents a sustainable way to finance a conservation scheme. CI's Global Conservation Fund is financing the implementation phase and will begin the capitalisation of the endowment. CI, 30/05/07.

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Posted 12:28 AM by Tevita

HOWARD G. BUFFETT FOUNDATION FUNDS RESEARCH ON SWEET POTATO FOR AFRICA

From: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center ( Courtesy of Luigi G)

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation recently granted $3 million to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to fund research to enhance resistance to virus infection and to increase the nutritional content of sweet potato for Africa. The Danforth Center has engaged in the project the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, and the National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda (NARO), to create a multi-institutional collaboration. Sweet potato production is decimated by dual infections of sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV). Danforth Center scientists will work to increase resistance to these two viruses, while undertaking research that will increase the amount of vitamins, folate, zinc and iron.

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	A blog maintained by Tevita Kete, PGR Officer Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji Islands
This weblog documents the activities of Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), along with other information on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific. The myriad varieties found within cultivated plants are fundamental to the present and future productivity of agriculture. PAPGREN, which is coordinated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), helps Pacific countries and territories to conserve their crop genetic diversity sustainably, with technical assistance from the Bioversity International (BI) and support from NZAID and ACIAR. SPC also hosts the Centre of Pacific Crops and Trees (CEPaCT). The CEPaCT maintains regional in vitro collections of crops important to the Pacific and carries out research on tissue culture technology. The CEPaCT Adviser is Dr Mary Taylor (MaryT@spc.int), the CEPaCT Curator is Ms Valerie Tuia (ValerieT@spc.int). PAPGREN coordination and support IPGRI ACIAR NZAID CTA SPC PAPGREN CEPaCT Click on the thumbnail to see a map of the locations of Pacific genebanks. Click here to download a regional directory of genebanks in the Pacific, including information on their location, contact details and holdings. PAPGREN partners Mr William Wigmore Director of Research Ministry of Agriculture Department of Resources & Development P.O. Box 96 Rarotonga Cook Islands Tel: (682) 28711-29720 Fax: (682) 21881 Email: cimoa@oyster.net.ck Mr Adelino S. Lorens Chief Agriculture Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs P.O. Box 1028 Kolonia Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Tel: (691) 3202400 Fax: (691) 3202127 Email: pniagriculture@mail.fm Dr Lois Englberger Island Food Community of Pohnpei Research Advisor P.O. Box 2299 Kolonia Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Email: nutrition@mail.fm Mr Apisai Ucuboi Director of Research Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest Koronivia Research Station P.O. Box 77 Nausori Fiji Islands Tel: (679) 3477044 Fax: (679) 3477546-400262 Email: apisainu@yahoo.com Dr Maurice Wong Service du Developpement Rural B.P. 100 Papeete Tahiti 98713 French Polynesia Tel: (689) 42 81 44 Fax: (689) 42 08 31 Email: maurice.wong@rural.gov.pf Mr Tianeti Beenna Ioane Head, Research Section Division of Agriculture Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development P.O. Box 267 Tarawa Kiribati Tel: (686) 28096-28108-28080 Fax: (686) 28121 Email : agriculture@tskl.net.ki; Beenna_ti@yahoo.com Mr Frederick Muller Secretary Ministry of Resources & Development P.O. Box 1727 Majuro 96960 Marshall Islands Tel: (692) 6253206 Fax: (692) 6257471 Email: rndsec@ntamar.net Mr Herman Francisco Director Bureau of Agriculture Ministry of Resources & Development P.O. Box 460 Koror 96940 Palau Tel: (680) 4881517 Fax: (680) 4881725 Email: bnrd@pnccwg.palaunet.com Ms Rosa Kambuou Principal Scientist PGR NARI Dry Lowlands Programme Laloki Agricultural Research Station P.O. Box 1828 Boroko National Capital District Papua New Guinea Tel: (675) 3235511 Fax: (675) 3234733 Email: kambuou@global.net.pg Ms Laisene Samuelu Principal Crop Development Officer Crops Division Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries & Meteorology P.O. Box 1874 Apia Samoa Tel: (685) 23416-20605 Fax: (685) 20607-23996 Email: lsamuelu@lesamoa.net Mr Jimi Saelea Director of Research Department of Agriculture and Livestock P.O. Box G13 Honiara Guadalcanal Solomon Islands Tel: (677) 27987 Mr Tony Jansen Planting Materials Network Kastom Gaden Association Burns Creek, Honiara P.O. Box 742 Honiara Solomon Islands Tel: (677) 39551 Email: kastomgaden@solomon.com.sb Mr Finao Pole Head of Research Ministry of Agriculture & Forests P.O. Box 14 Nuku'alofa Tonga Tel: (676) 23038 Fax: (676) 24271 Email: thaangana@hotmail.com Mr Frazer Bule Lehi Head of Research Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Private Mail Bag 040 Port Vila Vanuatu Tel: (678) 22525 Fax: (678) 25265 Email: flehi@hotmail.com Other links Other CROP agencies Forum Secretariat University of the South Pacific SPREP Pacific biodiversity Biodiversity hotspots Breadfruit Institute Hawaiian native plants Intellectual property rights Nature Conservancy PBIF PestNet SIDS WWF South Pacific Program Other Pacific organizations Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Micronesian Seminar Te Puna web directory Pacific news Cafe Pacific CocoNET Wireless Island Directory Pacific Islands News Pacific Islands Report Pacific Islands Travel Pacific Time South Pacific travel Time Pacific Interested in GIS? DIVA-GIS	Monday, June 18, 2007 Posted 4:38 PM by Tevita Australian wins prestigious prize in biodiversity informatics From: Eurekalert (Courtesy of Luigi) The 2007 Ebbe Nielsen Prize has been awarded to Paul Flemons of the Australian Museum, Sydney. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) established the Prize in honor of Dr. Ebbe Schmidt Nielsen, who was an inspirational leader in the fields of biosystematics and biodiversity informatics. This is the only Prize in the world that is given in the area of biodiversity informatics. The yearly award of €30,000 recognizes a researcher who is combining biosystematics and biodiversity informatics research in an exciting and novel way. Speaking about the Prize when he was notified, Flemons said "I am honoured by the award. GBIF is making a significant contribution to biodiversity informatics." Paul Flemons applies computer-based ecological modeling to help identify places where lots of species occur together, or species that occur only in very restricted geographical areas. This helps biodiversity scientists be more efficient in their efforts to discover and conserve species. The GBIF Science Committee noted when it announced the 2007 Prizewinner, “Paul Flemons has been a key figure in developing a robust and accessible biodiversity data infrastructure that supports visualization and analysis for use in conservation planning and natural resource decision-making." Further, the Committee said, "As a software developer, Flemons is particularly attuned to user needs. His work includes innovations that similar developments lack, and he has a rare mix of skill sets." The Prize winner also works on making desktop software tools into web-based tools that can be shared across the Internet. Sharing analytical software in this way promotes collaboration and cooperation among scientists and between scientists and policy-making agencies. Flemons understands the importance of the interplay between natural history collections data, visualization and analysis tools, and conservation decision-making. He has published in top-tier scientific journals, but at the same time he builds software applications that are intuitive and maximize the user experience for both scientists and non-scientists. Flemons' Prize will go toward engaging a broader community in the establishment of standards for data and metadata that arise from biodiversity collection and monitoring, and in furthering his work in building tools for online biodiversity analysis. He said " I look forward to using the Prize to broaden GBIF's range of data contributors to include industry and natural resource management agencies, and in further developing its contribution to biodiversity conservation planning.” ### The Prize will be awarded on Wednesday, 17 October 2007, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where Flemons will make a presentation about his work. * Comments: Post a Comment Sunday, June 17, 2007 Posted 8:56 PM by Tevita Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) From: FAO (Courtesy of Robin Hide) In 2002 FAO initiated a wide programme on conservation and adaptive management of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage systems (GIAHS) aiming to establish the basis for the global recognition, conservation and sustainable management of such systems and their associated landscapes, biodiversity, knowledge systems and cultures.During the preparatory phase (2002-2006), the GIAHS initiative has identified pilot sites in Peru, Chile, China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. For the next seven years (2007-2014), the pilot systems will implement dynamic conservation management approaches aimed at helping the national and local stakeholders to protect and sustainably conserve the systems and their components. While there is nothing in the Pacific in the initial phase, if you checkout the sidebar on the website:Other Systems, and then Island Countries, it leads to the following : Pacific Islands Taro Based Homegardens (Vanuatu) Pacific Island countries have traditional agricultural production systems that provide major food resources, and resilience to the small economies in times of external economic shocks or natural disasters (cyclones). Vanuatu is a relatively large Melanesian island country (besides Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia), and is a high, hot and wet tropical island experiencing SE trade winds. It is the most cyclone-prone island in the world, and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Most of the population is concentrated in two major towns, and 75% practice subsistence agriculture. It has rich lands suitable for crops and pastures, even though it is deficient in potassium, copper and zinc, and low in phosphorus. Vanuatu has a high population growth rate, a low HDI, low income, low literacy, and low life-expectancy. There is no proper valuation of the contribution of subsistence agriculture to the economy, even though Vanuatu is the most dependent among the large Melanesian islands on agriculture. Its vibrant cultural traditions ensure subsistence production and high food security. Severe market constraints (high shipping costs, lack of middle-men) make export development unrealistic. Nevertheless, some agricultural exports have been developed mainly tree crops (coconut, cocoa, and coffee), livestock, spices (pepper, vanilla) and indigenous nuts (nangai or Canarium, navele or Barringtonia). Multiple cropping in traditional gardens promotes food self-sufficiency: Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), taro (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), manioc or cassava (Manihot esculenta.), Fiji taro (Xanthosoma sagittofolium), breadfruit, and rice. Rich varieties of taro and yam are integrated into gardens and adjusted for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency. Dryland and irrigated taro are cultivated. Other crops cultivated in traditional gardens include sugarcane, island cabbage (Hibiscus esculenta), naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana, water melon, tomato, Chinese cabbage, and kava. Root crops generate household income. Homegardens vary in size per household (0.04-0.25 ha), most being small. Some traditional staples like taro and banana provide higher energy per unit weight than others such as breadfruit and yams, but none match exotic staples like rice and manioc. Goods and Services Provided Pacific island homegardens produce food crops that provide energy, proteins and nutrients, and moderate the climate. Some tree crop commodities (coconut copra, cocoa) have export value. Threats and Challenges Traditional homegardens are threatened by cyclones, and cheap rice imports that could displace indigenous taros and yams. There is a need to assess the threats to maintaining agro-biodiversity in small island economies. Policy and Development Relevance There is a need to assess the impact of food import policies on maintaining traditional agro-biodiversity in homegardens in small islands. Global Importance Taro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Their conservation and sustainable management is essential for risk mitigation and self-sufficiency of the islands. * Comments: Post a Comment Friday, June 15, 2007 Posted 2:24 PM by Tevita Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) From: FAO ( Courtesy of Robin Hide) In 2002 FAO initiated a wide programme on conservation and adaptive management of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage systems (GIAHS) aiming to establish the basis for the global recognition, conservation and sustainable management of such systems and their associated landscapes, biodiversity, knowledge systems and cultures.During the preparatory phase (2002-2006), the GIAHS initiative has identified pilot sites in Peru, Chile, China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. For the next seven years (2007-2014), the pilot systems will implement dynamic conservation management approaches aimed at helping the national and local stakeholders to protect and sustainably conserve the systems and their components. While there is nothing in the Pacific in the initial phase, if you checkout the sidebar on the website:Other Systems, and then Island Countries, it leads to the following : Pacific Islands Taro Based Homegardens (Vanuatu) a Summary informationTaro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Vanuatu, a relatively large Melanesian island country, has a hot and wet tropical climate and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Its vibrant cultural traditions and its agricultural system ensure subsistence production and high food security, which provides the small economy with resilience in times of external economic shocks and natural disasters, such as cyclones. In their traditional, mostly small gardens people cultivate multiple crops and fruits: rich varieties of taro and yam, sweet potato, manioc or cassava, breadfruit, rice, sugarcane, island cabbage, naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana watermelon, tomato and kava. Root and tree crops, spices and indigenous nuts (nangai or navele) generate household income. Maintaining the traditional agro-biodiversity of the homegardens, which also moderate the island's climate, is essential for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency.and b Detailed information Outstanding Features The Pacific Island countries have traditional agricultural production systems that provide major food resources, and resilience to the small economies in times of external economic shocks or natural disasters (cyclones). Vanuatu is a relatively large Melanesian island country (besides Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia), and is a high, hot and wet tropical island experiencing SE trade winds. It is the most cyclone-prone island in the world, and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Most of the population is concentrated in two major towns, and 75% practice subsistence agriculture. It has rich lands suitable for crops and pastures, even though it is deficient in potassium, copper and zinc, and low in phosphorus. Vanuatu has a high population growth rate, a low HDI, low income, low literacy, and low life-expectancy. There is no proper valuation of the contribution of subsistence agriculture to the economy, even though Vanuatu is the most dependent among the large Melanesian islands on agriculture. Its vibrant cultural traditions ensure subsistence production and high food security. Severe market constraints (high shipping costs, lack of middle-men) make export development unrealistic. Nevertheless, some agricultural exports have been developed mainly tree crops (coconut, cocoa, and coffee), livestock, spices (pepper, vanilla) and indigenous nuts (nangai or Canarium, navele or Barringtonia). Multiple cropping in traditional gardens promotes food self-sufficiency: Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), taro (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), manioc or cassava (Manihot esculenta.), Fiji taro (Xanthosoma sagittofolium), breadfruit, and rice. Rich varieties of taro and yam are integrated into gardens and adjusted for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency. Dryland and irrigated taro are cultivated. Other crops cultivated in traditional gardens include sugarcane, island cabbage (Hibiscus esculenta), naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana, water melon, tomato, Chinese cabbage, and kava. Root crops generate household income. Homegardens vary in size per household (0.04-0.25 ha), most being small. Some traditional staples like taro and banana provide higher energy per unit weight than others such as breadfruit and yams, but none match exotic staples like rice and manioc. Goods and Services ProvidedPacific island homegardens produce food crops that provide energy, proteins and nutrients, and moderate the climate. Some tree crop commodities (coconut copra, cocoa) have export value.Threats and ChallengesTraditional homegardens are threatened by cyclones, and cheap rice imports that could displace indigenous taros and yams. There is a need to assess the threats to maintaining agro-biodiversity in small island economies.Policy and Development RelevanceThere is a need to assess the impact of food import policies on maintaining traditional agro-biodiversity in homegardens in small islands.Global ImportanceTaro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Their conservation and sustainable management is essential for risk mitigation and self-sufficiency of the islands. * Comments: Post a Comment Sunday, June 10, 2007 Posted 3:09 PM by Tevita Surveying in the Former Kingdom of Hawaii From : The American Surveyor What is now the 50th State was once the Kingdom of Hawaii. Archaeological studies reveal that the Hawaiian islands have been inhabited since about 400 A.D., having been populated by migrating Polynesians from the western Pacific Ocean. After centuries of isolation, history attributes discovery of these islands to the famous British explorer Captain James Cook who arrived in Hawaii in 1778. Along with a sophisticated social structure, there was a system of land tenure and resource management in place at the time of Cook's arrival. Alii'aimoku or kings were the highest ranking individuals controlling the islands. Their territorial control was dependent on military success and could include portions of islands or entire islands. It was not until the end of the 18th century that the entire Kingdom was united under a single individual sovereign, King Kamehameha I, often referred to as Kamehameha the Great. His legacy was passed down to six more kings and a queen before the ancient system was overthrown and a western styled Republic of Hawaii was formed in 1893. By an Act of the United States Congress on August 12, 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States of America and became the Territory of Hawaii. It was in 1959 that Hawaii's citizens chose statehood and Hawaii was welcomed into the Union as the 50th State. * Comments: Post a Comment Sunday, June 03, 2007 Posted 1:51 AM by Tevita Leadership Award for Hon Anote Tong From: Matangi KIRIBATI President, The Honourable Anote Tong has been presented with an Outstanding Conservation Leadership Award by Conservation International (CI) in recognition of his global leadership in protected areas with the declaration of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) in March 2006. At 184,700 square kilometres (18.5 million hectares) the PIPA is the third largest marine protected area in the world. The PIPA has been created in collaboration with the New England Aquarium and CI.At a ceremony on May 11 at CI's global headquarters in Arlington (Virginia) President Tong received the Outstanding Conservation Leadership Award from CI President Dr. Russ Mittermeier. "We applaud the leadership shown by President Tong on behalf of the people of Kiribati," said Dr Mittermeier. "The Phoenix Islands Protected Area is an important sanctuary for the unique biodiversity of the Pacific region, which includes many species of coral, reef fish, seabirds and turtles." "Conservation International will continue to support the Government of Kiribati in the planning and management of this marine protected area, which is a great gift to the heritage of the people of Kiribati, and to mankind," added Dr Mittermeier. Accepting the award President Tong said he hoped others would follow his example by taking steps to protect threatened natural resources. "We are able to enjoy our oceans and reefs, and we continue to profit from the resources they provide, but have a responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to do the same," said President Tong. "With the threat of global climate change remoteness can no longer be relied upon to conserve our atolls, reefs and marine life," said President Tong. "I hope other countries - in particular developed countries - will follow the example set by the Republic of Kiribati and take action to protect the world?s natural resources."President Tong was congratulated by Dr Greg Stone, Vice President for Global Marine Programs at the New England Aquarium (Boston, USA), whose research team has carried out several expeditions in the region, documenting the unique biodiversity values of the Phoenix Islands. Kiribati is the largest atoll nation is the world with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 3.6 million square kilometres. The PIPA which includes islands, seabed, seamounts, open ocean and coral reefs represents approximately five per cent of the EEZ.The management and enforcement of the protected area will be financed through an endowment system which will also compensate the government for lost fishing licence revenues. In the face of multiple threats to marine biodiversity this represents a sustainable way to finance a conservation scheme. CI's Global Conservation Fund is financing the implementation phase and will begin the capitalisation of the endowment. CI, 30/05/07. * Comments: Post a Comment Posted 12:28 AM by Tevita HOWARD G. BUFFETT FOUNDATION FUNDS RESEARCH ON SWEET POTATO FOR AFRICA From: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center ( Courtesy of Luigi G) The Howard G. Buffett Foundation recently granted $3 million to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to fund research to enhance resistance to virus infection and to increase the nutritional content of sweet potato for Africa. The Danforth Center has engaged in the project the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, and the National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda (NARO), to create a multi-institutional collaboration. Sweet potato production is decimated by dual infections of sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV). Danforth Center scientists will work to increase resistance to these two viruses, while undertaking research that will increase the amount of vitamins, folate, zinc and iron. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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